Methods and compositions for treating flaviviruses and pestiviruses

ABSTRACT

A method and composition for treating a host infected with flavivirus or pestivirus comprising administering an effective flavivirus or pestivirus treatment amount of a described 1′, 2′ or 3′-modified nucleoside or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the area of pharmaceutical chemistry, and in particular, is a compound, method and composition for the treatment of flaviviruses and pestiviruses. This applicatidn is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/863,816, filed on May 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,812,219, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/207,674, filed on May 26, 2000 and U.S. provisional application No. 60/283,276, filed on Apr. 11, 2001, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pestiviruses and flaviviruses belong to the Flaviviridae family of viruses along with hepatitis C virus. The pestivirus genus includes bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV, also called hog cholera virus) and border disease virus (BDV) of sheep (Moennig, V. et al. Adv. Vir. Res. 1992, 41, 53–98). Pestivirus infections of domesticated livestock (cattle, pigs and sheep) cause significant economic losses worldwide. BVDV causes mucosal disease in cattle and is of significant economic importance to the livestock industry (Meyers, G. and Thiel, H.-J., Advances in Virus Research, 1996, 47, 53–118; Moennig V., et al., Adv. Vir. Res. 1992, 41, 53–98).

Human pestiviruses have not been as extensively characterized as the animal pestiviruses. However, serological surveys indicate considerable pestivirus exposure in humans. Pestivirus infections in man have been implicated in several diseases including congenital brain injury, infantile gastroenteritis and chronic diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients. M. Giangaspero et al., Arch. Virol. Suppl., 1993, 7, 53–62; M. Giangaspero et al., Int. J. Std. Aids, 1993, 4 (5): 300–302.

The flavivirus genus includes more than 68 members separated into groups on the basis of serological relatedness (Calisher et al., J. Gen. Virol, 1993, 70, 37–43). Clinical symptoms vary and include fever, encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever. Fields Virology, Editors: Fields, B. N., Knipe, D. M., and Howley, P. M., Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, Pa., 1996, Chapter 31, 931–959. Flaviviruses of global concern that are associated with human disease include the dengue hemorrhagic fever viruses (DHF), yellow fever virus, shock syndrome and Japanese encephalitis virus. Halstead, S. B., Rev. Infect. Dis., 1984, 6, 251–264; Halstead, S. B., Science, 239:476–481, 1988; Monath, T. P., New Eng. J. Med., 1988, 319, 641–643.

Examples of antiviral agents that have been identified as active against the flavivirus or pestiviruses include:

-   -   (1) interferon and ribavirin (Battaglia, A. M. et al., Ann.         Pharmacother, 2000,. 34, 487–494); Berenguer, M. et al. Antivir.         Ther., 1998, 3 (Suppl. 3), 125–136);     -   (2) Substrate-based NS3 protease inhibitors (Attwood et al.,         Antiviral peptide derivatives, PCT WO 98/22496, 1998; Attwood et         al., Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 1999, 10, 259–273;         Attwood et al., Preparation and use of amino acid derivatives as         anti-viral agents, German Patent Pub. DE 19914474; Tung et al.         Inhibitors of serine proteases, particularly hepatitis C virus         NS3 protease, PCT WO 98/17679), including alphaketoamides and         hydrazinoureas, and inhibitors that terminate in an electrophile         such as a boronic acid or phosphonate (Llinas-Brunet et al.,         Hepatitis C inhibitor peptide analogues, PCT WO 99/07734).     -   (3) Non-substrate-based inhibitors such as         2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-nitro-benzamide derivatives (Sudo K. et al.,         Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1997, 238,         643–647; Sudo K. et al. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy,         1998, 9, 186), including RD3-4082 and RD3-4078, the former         substituted on the amide with a 14 carbon chain and the latter         processing apara-phenoxyphenyl group;     -   (4) Thiazolidine derivatives which show relevant inhibition in a         reverse-phase HPLC assay with an NS3/4A fusion protein and         NS5A/5B substrate (Sudo K. et al., Antiviral Research, 1996, 32,         9–18), especially compound RD-1-6250, possessing a fused         cinnamoyl moiety substituted with a long alkyl chain, RD4 6205         and RD4 6193;     -   (5) Thiazolidines and benzanilides identified in Kakiuchi N. et         al. J. EBS Letters 421, 217–220; Takeshita N. et al. Analytical         Biochemistry, 1997, 247, 242–246;     -   (6) A phenan-threnequinone possessing activity against protease         in a SDS-PAGE and autoradiography assay isolated from the         fermentation culture broth of Streptomyces sp., Sch 68631         (Chu M. et al., Tetrahedron Letters, 1996, 37, 7229–7232), and         Sch 351633, isolated from the fungus Penicillium griscofuluum,         which demonstrates activity in a scintillation proximity assay         (Chu M. et al., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters 9,         1949–1952);     -   (7) Selective NS3 inhibitors based on the macromolecule elgin c,         isolated from leech (Qasim M. A. et al., Biochemistry, 1997, 36,         1598–1607);     -   (8) Helicase inhibitors (Diana G. D. et al., Compounds,         compositions and methods for treatment of hepatitis C, U.S. Pat.         No. 5,633,358; Diana G. D. et al., Piperidine derivatives,         pharmaceutical compositions thereof and their use in the         treatment of hepatitis C, PCT WO 97/36554);     -   (9) Polymerase inhibitors such as nucleotide analogues,         gliotoxin (Ferrari R. et al. Journal of Virology, 1999, 73,         1649–1654), and the natural product cerulenin (Lohmann V. et         al., Virology, 1998, 249, 108–118);     -   (10) Antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S-ODN)         complementary to sequence stretches in the 5′ non-coding region         (NCR) of the virus (Alt M. et al., Hepatology, 1995, 22,         707–717), or nucleotides 326–348 comprising the 3′ end of the         NCR and nucleotides 371–388 located in the core coding region of         the IICV RNA (Alt M. et al., Archives of Virology, 1997, 142,         589–599; Galderisi U. et al., Journal of Cellular Physiology,         1999, 181, 251–257);     -   (11) Inhibitors of IRES-dependent translation (Ikeda N et al.,         Agent for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C, Japanese         Patent Pub. JP-08268890; Kai Y. et al. Prevention and treatment         of viral diseases, Japanese Patent Pub. JP-10101591);     -   (12) Nuclease-resistant ribozymes (Maccjak, D. J. et al.,         Hepatology 1999, 30, abstract 995); and     -   (13) Other miscellaneous compounds including         1-amino-alkylcyclohexanes (U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,134 to Gold et         al.), alkyl lipids (U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,757 to Chojkier et al.),         vitamin E and other antioxidants (U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,757 to         Chojkier et al.), squalene, amantadine, bile acids (U.S. Pat.         No. 5,846,964 to Ozeki et al.), N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-aspartic         acid, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,905 to Diana et al.),         benzenedicarboxamides (U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,388 to Diana et al.),         polyadenylic acid derivatives (U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,546 to Wang         et al.), 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,687 to         Yarchoan et al.), and benzimidazoles (U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,874 to         Colacino et al.).

In view of the severity of diseases associated with pestiviruses and flaviviruses, and their pervasiveness in animal and man, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compound, method and composition for the treatment of a host infected with flavivirus or pestivirus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Compounds, methods and compositions for the treatment of a host infected with a flavivirus or pestivirus infection are described that includes an effective treatment amount of a β-D- or β-L-nucleoside of the Formulas (I)–(XVIII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

In a first principal embodiment, a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H, phosphate (including mono-, di-     or triphosphate and a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including     lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester     including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and     benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one     or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given     herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a     carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically     acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable     of providing a compound wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or     phosphate; -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ and X² are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     straight chained, branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl,     CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a second principal embodiment, a compound of Formula II, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ and X² are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     straight chained, branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl,     CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a third principal embodiment, a compound of Formula III, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ and X² are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     straight chained, branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl,     CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a fourth principal embodiment, a compound of Formula W, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H, phosphate (including mono-, di-     or triphosphate and a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including     lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester     including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and     benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one     or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given     herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a     carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically     acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable     of providing a compound wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or     phosphate; -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, straight chained,     branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro,     bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a fifth principal embodiment, a compound of Formula V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, straight chained,     branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro,     bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a sixth principal embodiment, a compound of Formula VI, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, straight chained,     branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro,     bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a seventh principal embodiment, a compound selected from Formulas VII, VIII and IX, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, 2-Br-ethyl, —C(O)O(alkyl),     —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower     alkyl), —O(alkenyl), CF₃, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂,     —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a eighth principal embodiment, a compound of Formulas X, XI and XII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ is hydrogen, OR³, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl),     —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a ninth principal embodiment a compound selected from Formulas XIII, XIV and XV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; and -   X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a tenth principal embodiment the invention provides a compound of Formula XVI, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ or R² is     independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², hydroxy, alkyl (including     lower alkyl), azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl,     —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl),     —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine,     NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl),     chlorine, bromine or iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, R⁷ and R¹⁰, R⁸ and R⁹, or R⁸ and R¹⁰ can     come together to form a pi bond; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a eleventh principal embodiment the invention provides a compound of Formula XVII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ or R² is     independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², hydroxy, alkyl (including     lower alkyl), azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl,     —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl),     —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine,     NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R¹⁰ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or     iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, or R⁷ and R¹⁰ can come together to form a     pi bond; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In an twelfth principal embodiment, the invention provides a compound of Formula XVIII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹ and R² independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ or R² is     independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower     alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine,     iodine, NO₂, amino, lower alkylamino or di(lower-alkyl)amino; -   R⁸ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, or R⁸ and R⁹ can come together to form a     pi bond; -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

The β-D- and β-L-nucleosides of this invention may inhibit flavivirus or pestivirus polymerase activity. These nucleosides can be assessed for their ability to inhibit flavivirus or pestivirus polymerase activity in vitro according to standard screening methods.

In one embodiment the efficacy of the anti-flavivirus or pestivirus compound is measured according to the concentration of compound necessary to reduce the plaque number of the virus in vitro, according to methods set forth more, particularly herein, by 50% (i.e. the compound's EC₅₀). In preferred embodiments the compound exhibits an EC₅₀ of less than 15 or preferably, less than 10 micromolar in vitro.

In another embodiment, the active compound can be administered in combination or alternation with another anti-flavivirus or pestivirus agent. In combination therapy, effective dosages of two or more agents are administered together, whereas during alternation therapy an effective dosage of each agent is administered serially. The dosages will depend on absorption, inactivation and excretion rates of the drug as well as other factors known to those of skill in the art. It is to be noted that dosage values will also vary with the severity of the condition to be alleviated. It is to be further understood that for any particular subject, specific dosage regimens and schedules should be adjusted over time according to the individual need and the professional judgment of the person administering or supervising the administration of the compositions.

HCV is a member of the Flaviviridae family; however, now, HCV has been placed in a new monotypic genus, hepacivirus. Therefore, in one embodiment, the flavivirus or pestivirus is not HCV.

Nonlimiting examples of antiviral agents that can be used in combination with the compounds disclosed herein include:

(1) an interferon and/or ribavirin (Battaglia, A. M. et al., Ann. Pharmacother. 34:487–494, 2000); Berenguer, M. et al. Antivir. Ther. 3(Suppl. 3):125–136, 1998);

(2) Substrate-based NS3 protease inhibitors (Attwood et al., Antiviral peptide derivatives, PCT WO 98/22496, 1998; Attwood et al., Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 10.259–273, 1999; Attwood et al., Preparation and use of amino acid derivatives as anti-viral agents, German Patent Publication DE 19914474; Tung et al. Inhibitors of serine proteases, particularly hepatitis C virus NS3 protease, PCT WO 98/17679), including alphaketoamides and hydrazinoureas, and inhibitors that terminate in an electrophile such as a boronic acid or phosphonate. Llinas-Brunet et al., Hepatitis C inhibitor peptide analogues, PCT WO 99/07734.

(3) Non-substrate-based inhibitors such as 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-nitro-benzamide derivatives(Sudo K. et al., Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 238:643–647, 1997; Sudo K. et al. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 9:186, 1998), including RD3-4082 and RD3-4078, the former substituted on the amide with a 14 carbon chain and the latter processing apara-phenoxyphenyl group;

(4) Thiazolidine derivatives which show relevant inhibition in a reverse-phase HPLC assay with an NS3/4A fusion protein and NS5A/5B substrate (Sudo K. et al., Antiviral Research 32:9–18, 1996), especially compound RD-1-6250, possessing a fused cinnamoyl moiety substituted with a long alkyl chain, RD4 6205 and RD4 6193;

(5) Thiazolidinesf and benzanilides identified in Kakiuchi N. et al. J. EBS Letters 421:217–220; Takeshita N. et al. Analytical Biochemistry 247:242–246, 1997;

(6) A phenan-threnequinone possessing activity against protease in a SDS-PAGE and autoradiography assay isolated from the fermentation culture broth of Streptomyces sp., Sch 68631 (Chu M. et al., Tetrahedron Letters 37:7229–7232, 1996), and Sch 351633, isolated from the fungus Penicillium griscofuluum, which demonstrates activity in a scintillation proximity assay (Chu M. et al., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters 9: 1949–1952);

(7) Selective NS3 inhibitors based on the macromolecule elgin c, isolated from leech (Qasim M. A. et al., Biochemistry 36:1598–1607, 1997);,

(8) Helicase inhibitors (Diana G. D. et al., Compounds, compositions and methods for treatment of hepatitis C, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,358; Diana G. D. et al., Piperidine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and their use in the treatment of hepatitis C, PCT WO 97/36554);

(9) Polymerase inhibitors such as nucleotide analogues, gliotoxin (Ferrari R. et al. Journal of Virology 73:1649–1654, 1999), and the natural product cerulenin (Lohmann V. et al, Virology 249:108–118, 1998);

(10) Antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S-ODN) complementary to sequence stretches in the 5′ non-coding region (NCR) of the virus (Alt M. et al., Hepatology 22:707–717, 1995), or nucleotides 326–348 comprising the 3′ end of the NCR and nucleotides 371–388 located in the core coding region of the IICV RNA (Alt M. et al., Archives of Virology 142:589–599, 1997; Galderisi U. et al., Journal of Cellular Physiology 181:251–257, 1999);

(11) Inhibitors of IRES-dependent translation (Ikeda N et al., Agent for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C, Japanese Patent Publication JP-08268890; Kai Y. et al. Prevention and treatment of viral diseases, Japanese Patent Publication JP-10101591);

(12) Nuclease-resistant ribozymes. (Maccjak D. J. et al., Hepatology 30 abstract 995, 1999); and

(13) Other miscellaneous compounds including 1-amino-alkylcyclohexanes (U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,134 to Gold et al.), alkyl lipids (U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,757 to Chojkier et al.), vitamin E and other antioxidants (U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,757 to Chojkier et al.), squalene, amantadine, bile acids. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,964 to Ozeki et al.), N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-aspartic acid, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,905 to Diana et al.), benzenedicarboxamides (U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,388 to Diana et al.), polyadenylic acid derivatives (U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,546 to Wang et al.), 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,687 to Yarchoan et al.), and benzimidazoles (U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,874 to Colacino et al.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides the structure of various non-limiting examples of nucleosides of the present invention, as well as other known nucleosides, FIAU and Ribavirin, which are used as comparative examples in the text.

FIG. 2 is a line graph of the pharmacokinetics (plasma concentrations) of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG administered to Cynomolgus Monkeys over time after administration.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are line graphs of the pharmacokinetics (plasma concentrations) of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG administered to Cynomolgus Monkeys either intravenously (3 a) or orally (3 b) over time after administration.

FIG. 4 depicts line graphs of the results of the cell protection assay of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG against BVDV.

FIG. 5 depicts line graphs of the results of the cell protection assay of ribavirin against BVDV.

FIG. 6 are line graphs of the cell protection assay of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA and ribavirin.

FIG. 7 are line graphs of the results of the plaque reduction assay for β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC and β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG.

FIG. 8 is an illustration, of plaque reduction based on increasing concentrations of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU.

FIG. 9 is a line graph of the results of the yield reduction assay for β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG, depicting a 4 log reduction at 9 μM.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the yield reduction based on increasing concentrations of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention as disclosed herein is a compound, method and composition for the treatment of pestiviruses and flaviviruses in humans and other host animals, that includes the administration of an effective flavivirus or pestivirus treatment amount of an β-D- or β-L-nucleoside as described herein. or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compounds of this invention either, possess antiviral (i.e., anti-flavivirus or pestivirus) activity, or are metabolized to a compound that exhibits such activity.

In summary, the present invention includes the following features:

-   -   (a) β-D- and β-L-nucleosides, as described herein, and         pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof;     -   (b) β-D- and β-L-nucleosides as described herein, and         pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof for use         in the treatment or prophylaxis of a flavivirus or pestivirus         infection, especially in individuals diagnosed as having a         flavivirus or pestivirus infection or being at risk for becoming         infected by flavivirus or pestivirus;     -   (c) use of these β-D- and β-L-nucleosides, and pharmaceutically         acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof in the manufacture of a         medicament for treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus         infection;     -   (d) pharmaceutical formulations comprising the β-D- and         β-L-nucleosides or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs         thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or         diluent;     -   (e) β-D- and β-L-nucleosides as described herein substantially         in the absence of enantiomers of the described nucleoside, or         substantially isolated from other chemical entities;     -   (f) processes for the preparation of β-D- and β-L-nucleosides,         as described in more detail below; and     -   (g) processes for the preparation of β-D- and β-L-nucleosides         substantially in the absence of enantiomers of the described         nucleoside, or substantially isolated from other chemical         entities.

Flaviviruses included within the scope of this invention are discussed generally in Fields Virology, Editors: Fields, B. N., Knipe, D. M., and Howley, P. M., Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, Pa., Chapter 31, 1996. Specific flaviviruses include, without limitation: Absettarov, Alfuy, Apoi, Aroa, Bagaza, Banzi, Bouboui, Bussuquara, Cacipacore, Carey Island, Dakar bat, Dengue 1, Dengue 2, Dengue 3, Dengue 4, Edge Hill, Entebbe bat, Gadgets Gully, Hanzalova, Hypr, Ilheus, Israel turkey meningoencephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, Jugra, Jutiapa, Kadam, Karshi, Kedougou, Kokobera, Koutango, Kumlinge, Kunjin, Kyasanur Forest disease, Langat, Louping ill, Meaban, Modoc, Montana myotis leukoencephalitis, Murray valley encephalitis, Naranjal, Negishi, Ntaya, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, Phnom-Penh bat, Powassan, Rio Bravo, Rocio, Royal Farm, Russian spring-summer encephalitis, Saboya, St. Louis encephalitis, Sal Vieja, San Perlita, Saumarez Reef, Sepik, Sokuluk, Spondweni, Stratford, Tembusu, Tyuleniy, Uganda S, Usutu, Wesselsbron, West Nile, Yaounde, Yellow fever, and Zika.

Pestiviruses included within the scope of this invention are discussed generally in Fields Virology, Editors: Fields, B. N., Knipe, D. M., and Howley, P. M., Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, Pa., Chapter 33, 1996. Specific pestiviruses include, without limitation: bovine viral diarrhea virus (“BVDV”), classical swine fever virus (“CSFV,” also called hog cholera virus), and border disease virus (“BDV”).

I. Active Compound, and Physiologically Acceptable Salts and Prodrugs Thereof

In a first principal embodiment, a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H, phosphate (including mono-, di-     or triphosphate and a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including     lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester     including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and     benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one     or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given     herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a     carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically     acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable     of providing a compound wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or     phosphate; -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ and X² are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     straight chained, branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl,     CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate (preferably H); -   X¹ is H; -   X² is H or NH₂; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, NH₂ or OH.

In a second principal embodiment, a compound of Formula II, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ and X² are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     straight chained, branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl,     CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula II, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate (preferably H); -   X¹ is H; -   X² is H or NH₂; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, jodo, NH₂ or OH.

In a third principal embodiment, a compound of Formula III, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ and X² are independently selected from the group consisting of H,     straight chained, branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl,     CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵: are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula III, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate (preferably H); -   X¹ is H; -   X²is H or NH₂; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, NH₂ or OH.

In a fourth principal embodiment, a compound of Formula IV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H, phosphate (including mono-, di-     or triphosphate and a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including     lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester     including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and     benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one     or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given     herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a     carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically     acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable     of providing a compound wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or     phosphate; -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, straight chained,     branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro,     bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula IV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate (preferably H); -   X¹ is H or CH₃; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, NH₂ or OH.

In a fifth principal embodiment, a compound of Formula V, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R⁵ or SR⁴; -   X¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, straight chained,     branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro,     bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula V, or a pharmnaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate (preferably H); -   X¹ is H or CH₃; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, NH₂ or OH.

In a sixth principal embodiment, a compound of Formula VI, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴R or SR⁴; -   X¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, straight chained,     branched or cyclic alkyl, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, CO-alkoxyalkyl, chloro,     bromo, fluoro, iodo, OR⁴, NR⁴NR⁵ or SR⁵; and -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently hydrogen, acyl (including lower acyl),     or alkyl (including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl and     cyclopropyl).

In a preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula VI, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate (preferably H); -   X¹ is H or CH₃; and -   Y is hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, NH₂ or OH.

In a seventh principal embodiment, a compound selected from Formulas VII, VIII and IX, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, 2-Br-ethyl, —C(O)O(alkyl),     —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower     alkyl), —O(alkenyl), CF₃, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂,     —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; and -   X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a first preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula VII, VIII or IX, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen or phosphate; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a second preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula VII, VIII or IX, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are hydrogens; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a third preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula VII, VIII or IX, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen or phosphate; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O.

In a eighth principal embodiment, a compound of Formula X, XI or XII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ is hydrogen, OR³, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl),     —NH(acyl), —N(loweralkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a first preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula X, XI or XII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen or phosphate; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a second preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula X, XI or XII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are hydrogens; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a third preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula X, XI or XII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O.

In even more preferred subembodiments, a compound of Formula XI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; optionally     substituted with an amine or cyclopropyl (e.g., 2-amino, 2,6-diamino     or cyclopropyl guanosine); and -   R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ or R² is     independently H or phosphate.

In a ninth principal embodiment a compound selected from Formula XIII, XIV or XV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate (including     monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate     prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower     alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl     including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is     optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in     the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a     phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a     cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group     which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound     wherein R¹, R² or R³ is independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a first preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XIII, XIV or XV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen or phosphate; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a second preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XIII, XIV or XV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are hydrogens; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a third preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XIII, XIV or XV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, is provided wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹, R² and R³ are independently hydrogen or phosphate; -   R⁶ is alkyl; and -   X is O.

In a tenth principal embodiment the invention provides a compound of Formula XVI, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the.     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ and R² are     independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower akyl),     —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², hydroxy, alkyl (including     lower alkyl), azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl,     —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl),     —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine,     NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl),     chlorine, bromine or iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, R⁷ and R¹⁰, R⁸ and R⁹, or R⁸ and R¹⁰ can     come together to form a pi bond; and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a first preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, lower alkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a second preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a third preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a fourth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a fifth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR¹; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a sixth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR₂, alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a seventh preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², alky (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a eighth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a ninth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a tenth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O.

In an eleventh preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a twelfth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4)

-   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen;     and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a thirteenth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a fourteenth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O.

In even more preferred subembodiments, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which:

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is guanine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is cytosine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is thymine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is uracil; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is phosphate; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is ethyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is propyl; (4) R⁷and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is butyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ is hydrogen and R⁹ is hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is S;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is SO₂;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ and R¹⁰ are hydrogen; and (6) X is CH₂;

In a eleventh principal embodiment the invention provides a compound of Formula XVII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹ is H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate,     triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including     lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester     including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and     benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one     or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given     herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a     carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically     acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable     of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², hydroxy, alkyl (including     lower alkyl), azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl,     —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl),     —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine,     NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R¹⁰ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or     iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, or R⁷ and R¹⁰ can come together to form a     pi bond; and -   X is OS, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a first preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R ⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)-amino; (5) R¹⁰ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a second preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R¹⁰ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a third preferred subembodinient, a. compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)-amino; (5) R¹⁰ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a fourth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amnino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R¹⁰ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a fifth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R¹⁰ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a sixth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R¹⁰ is H; and (6) X is O.

In a seventh preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R¹⁰ is H; and (6) X is O.

In an eighth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)-amino; (5) R¹⁰ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a ninth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVI, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R¹⁰ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a tenth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R¹⁰ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In even more preferred subembodiments, a compound of Formula XVII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which:

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is guanine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is cytosine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is thymine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is uracil; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is phosphate; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is ethyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is propyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is butyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is S;

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is SO₂; or

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and (6) X is CH₂.

In an twelfth principal embodiment the invention provides a compound of Formula XVIII, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof:

wherein:

-   Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently     H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl (including lower alkyl), azido,     cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower     alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl),     —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower     alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower     alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine,     iodine, NO₂, amino, lower alkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; -   R⁸ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, or R⁸ and R⁹ can come together to form a     pi bond;

X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a first preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a second preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of acyl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di-(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a third preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable, leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower-alkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a fourth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower. acyl); alkyl (including. lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR²; alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a fifth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a sixth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including allyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine, or iodine; and (6) X is O.

In a seventh preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R₁ is independently H; phosphate (including, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(loweralkyl)amino; (5) R⁸ is H; and (6) X is O.

In an eighth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl (including lower alkyl), alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, hydroxy, O-alkyl, O-alkenyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, amino, loweralkylamino or di(loweralkyl)amino; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.

In a ninth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ is H; and (6) X is O, S, SO₂, or CH₂.

In a tenth preferred subembodiment, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which: (1) Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; (2) R¹ is independently H or phosphate; (3) R⁶ is alkyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR²; (5) R⁸ is H; and (6) X is O.

In even more preferred subembodiments, a compound of Formula XVIII, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, is provided in which:

(1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

(1) Base is guanine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O;

-   (1) Base is cytosine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷     and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O; -   (1) Base is thymine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷     and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O; -   (1) Base is uracil; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷ and     R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O; -   (1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is phosphate; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷     and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O; -   (1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is ethyl; (4) R⁷ and     R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O; -   (1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is propyl; (4) R⁷     and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O; -   (1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is butyl; (4) R⁷ and     R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is O; -   (1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷     and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R¹ is hydrogen; and (6) X is S; -   (1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R⁶ is methyl; (4) R⁷     and R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is SO₂; or -   (1) Base is adenine; (2) R¹ is hydrogen; (3) R is methyl; (4) R⁷ and     R⁹ are hydroxyl; (5) R⁸ is hydrogen; and (6) X is CH₂.

The β-D- and β-L-nucleosides of this invention belong to a class of anti-flavivirus or pestivirus agents that may inhibit flavivirus or pestivirus polymerase activity. Nucleosides can be screened for their ability to inhibit flavivirus or pestivirus polymerase activity in vitro according to screening methods set forth more particularly herein. One can readily determine the spectrum of activity by evaluating the compound in the assays described herein or with another confirmatory assay.

In one embodiment the efficacy of the anti-flavivirus or pestivirus compound is measured according to the concentration of compound necessary to reduce the plaque-number of the virus in vitro, according to methods set forth more particularly herein, by 50% (i.e. the compound's EC₅₀). In preferred embodiments the compound exhibits an EC₅₀ of less than 15 or 10 micromolar.

HCV is a member of the Flaviviridae family; however, now, HCV has been placed in a new monotypic genus, hepacivirus. Therefore, in one embodiment, the flavivirus or pestivirus is not HCV.

The active compound can be administered as any salt or prodrug that upon administration to the recipient is capable of providing directly or indirectly the parent compound, or that exhibits activity itself. Nonlimiting examples are the pharmaceutically acceptable salts (alternatively referred to as “physiologically acceptable salts”), and a compound, which has been alkylated or acylated at the 5′-position, or on the purine or pyrimidine base (a type of “pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug”). Further, the modifications can affect the biological activity of the compound, in some cases increasing the activity over the parent compound. This can easily be assessed by preparing the salt or prodrug and testing its antiviral activity according to the methods described herein, or other methods known to those skilled in the art.

II. Definitions

The term alkyl, as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a saturated straight, branched, or cyclic, primary, secondary, or tertiary hydrocarbon of typically C₁ to C₁₀, and specifically includes methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, cyclopentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 3-methylpentyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, and 2,3-dimethylbutyl. The term includes both substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups. Moieties with which the alkyl group can be substituted are selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate, either unprotected, or protected as necessary, as known to those skilled in the art, for example, as taught in Greene, et al., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, hereby incorporated by reference.

The term lower alkyl, as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refers to a C₁ to C₄ saturated straight, branched, or if appropriate, a cyclic (for example, cyclopropyl) alkyl group, including both substituted and unsubstituted forms. Unless otherwise specifically stated in this application, when alkyl is a suitable moiety, lower alkyl is preferred. Similarly, when alkyl or lower alkyl is a suitable moiety, unsubstituted alkyl or lower alkyl is preferred.

The term alkylamino or arylamino refers to an amino group that has one or two alkyl or aryl substituents, respectively.

The term “protected” as used herein and unless otherwise defined refers to a group that is added to an oxygen, nitrogen, or phosphorus atom to prevent its further reaction or for other purposes. A wide variety of oxygen and nitrogen protecting groups are known to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis.

The term aryl, as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refers to phenyl, biphenyl, or naphthyl, and preferably phenyl. The term includes both substituted and unsubstituted moieties. The aryl group can be substituted with one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate, either unprotected, or protected as necessary, as known to those skilled in the art, for example, as taught in Greene, et al., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

The term alkaryl or alkylaryl refers to an alkyl group with an aryl substituent. The term aralkyl or arylalkyl refers to an aryl group with an alkyl substituent.

The term halo, as used herein, includes chloro, bromo, iodo, and fluoro.

The term purine or pyrimidine base includes, but is not limited to, adenine, N⁶-alkylpurines, N⁶-acylpurines (wherein acyl is C(O)(alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or arylalkyl), N⁶-benzylpurine, N⁶-halopurine, N⁶-vinylpurine, N⁶-acetylenic purine, N⁶-acyl purine, N⁶-hydroxyalkyl purine, N⁶-thioalkyl purine, N²-alkylpurines, N²-alkyl-6-thiopurines, thymine, cytosine, 5-fluorocytosine, 5-methylcytosine, 6-azapyrimidine, including 6-azacytosine, 2- and/or 4-mercaptopyrmidine, uracil, 5-halouracil, including 5-fluorouracil, C⁵-alkylpyrimidines, C⁵-benzylpyrimidines, C⁵-halopyrimidines, C⁵-vinylpyrimidine, C⁵-acetylenic pyrimidine, C⁵-acyl pyrimidine, C⁵-hydroxyalkyl purine, C⁵-amidopyrimidine, C⁵-cyanopyrimidine, C⁵-nitropyrimidine, C⁵-aminopyrimidine, N²-alkylpurines, N²-alkyl-6-thiopurines, 5-azacytidinyl, 5-azauracilyl, triazolopyridinyl, imidazolopyridinyl, pyrrolopyrimidinyl, and pyrazolo-pyrimidinyl. Purine bases include, but are not limited to, guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and 6-chloropurine. Functional oxygen and nitrogen groups on the base can be protected as necessary or desired. Suitable protecting groups are well known to those skilled in the art, and include trimethylsilyl, dimethylhexylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl and t-butyldiphenylsilyl, trityl, alkyl groups, and acyl groups such as acetyl and propionyl, methanesulfonyl, and p-toluenesulfonyl. Alternatively, the purine or pyrimidine base can optionally substituted such that it forms a viable prodrug, which can be cleaved in vivo. Examples of appropriate substituents include acyl moiety, an amine or cyclopropyl (e.g., 2-amino, 2,6-diamino or cyclopropyl guanosine).

The term acyl refers to a carboxylic acid ester in which the non-carbonyl moiety of the ester group is selected from straight, branched, or cyclic alkyl or lower alkyl, alkoxyalkyl including methoxyrnethyl, aralkyl including benzyl, aryloxyalkyl such as phenoxymethyl, aryl including phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, C₁ to C₄ alkyl or C₁ to C₄ alkoxy, sulfonate esters such as alkyl or aralkyl sulphonyl including methanesulfonyl, the mono, di or triphosphate ester, trityl or monomethoxytrityl, substituted benzyl, trialkylsilyl (e.g. dimethyl-t-butylsilyl) or diphenylmethylsilyl. Aryl groups in the esters optimally comprise a phenyl group. The term “lower acyl” refers to an acyl group in which the non-carbonyl moiety is lower alkyl.

As used herein, the term “substantially free of” or “substantially in the absence of” refers to a nucleoside composition that includes at least 85 or 90% by weight, preferably 95% to 98% by weight, and even more preferably 99% to 100% by weight, of the designated enantiomer of that nucleoside. In a preferred embodiment, in the methods and compounds of this invention, the compounds are substantially free of enantiomers.

Similarly, the term “isolated” refers to a nucleoside composition that includes at least 85 or 90% by weight, preferably 95% to 98% by weight, and even more preferably 99% to 100% by weight, of the nucleoside, the remainder comprising other chemical species or enantiomers.

The term “independently” is used herein to indicate that the variable, which is independently applied, varies independently from application to application. Thus, in a compound such as R″XYR″, wherein R″ is “independently carbon or nitrogen,” both R″ can be carbon, both R″ can be nitrogen, or one R″ can be carbon and the other R″ nitrogen.

The term host, as used herein, refers to an unicellular or multicellular organism in which the virus can replicate, including cell lines and animals, and preferably a human. Alternatively, the host can be carrying a part of the flavivirus or pestivirus genome, whose replication or function can be altered by the compounds of the present invention. The term host specifically refers to infected cells, cells transfected with all or part of the flavivirus or pestivirus genome and animals, in particular, primates (including chimpanzees) and humans. In most animal applications of the present invention, the host is a human patient. Veterinary applications, in certain indications, however, are clearly anticipated by the present invention (such as chimpanzees).

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug” is used throughout the specification to describe any pharmaceutically acceptable form (such as an ester, phosphate ester, salt of an ester or a related group) of a nucleoside compound which, upon administration to a patient, provides the nucleoside compound. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic bases and acids. Suitable salts include those derived from alkali metals such as potassium and sodium, alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium, among numerous other acids well known in the pharmaceutical art. Pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs refer to a compound that is metabolized, for example hydrolyzed or oxidized, in the host to form the compound of the present invention. Typical examples of prodrugs include compounds that have biologically labile protecting groups on a functional moiety of the active compound. Prodrugs include compounds that can be oxidized, reduced, aminated, deaminated, hydroxylated, dehydroxylated, hydrolyzed, dehydrolyzed, alkylated, dealkylated, acylated, deacylated, phosphorylated, dephosphorylated to produce the active compound. The compounds of this invention possess antiviral activity against flavivirus or pestivirus, or are metabolized to a compound that exhibits such activity.

III. Nucleotide Salt or Prodrug Formulations

In cases where compounds are sufficiently basic or acidic to form stable nontoxic acid or base salts, administration of the compound as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt may be appropriate. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are organic acid addition salts formed with acids, which form a physiological acceptable anion, for example, tosylate, methanesulfonate, acetate, citrate, malonate, tartarate, succinate, benzoate, ascorbate, α-ketoglutarate, and α-glycerophosphate. Suitable inorganic salts may also be formed, including, sulfate, nitrate, bicarbonate, and carbonate salts.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art, for example by reacting a sufficiently basic compound such as an amine with a suitable acid affording a physiologically acceptable anion. Alkali metal (for example, sodium, potassium or lithium) or alkaline earth metal (for example calcium) salts of carboxylic acids can also be made.

Any of the nucleosides described herein can be administered as a nucleotide prodrug to increase the activity, bioavailability, stability or otherwise alter the properties of the nucleoside. A number of nucleotide prodrug ligands are known. In general, alkylation, acylation or other lipophilic modification of the mono, di or triphosphate of the nucleoside will increase the stability of the nucleotide. Examples of substituent groups that can replace one or more hydrogens on the phosphate moiety are alkyl, aryl, steroids, carbohydrates, including sugars, 1,2-diacylglycerol and alcohols. Many are described in R. Jones and N. Bischofberger, Antiviral Research, 27 (1995) 1–17. Any of these can be used in combination with the disclosed nucleosides to achieve a desired effect.

The active nucleoside can also be provided as a 5′-phosphoether lipid or a 5′-ether lipid, as disclosed in the following references, which are incorporated by reference herein: Kucera, L. S., N. lyer, E. Leake, A. Raben, Modest E. K., D. L. W., and C. Piantadosi, “Novel membrane-interactive ether lipid analogs that inhibit infectious HIV-1 production and induce defective virus formation,” AIDS Res. Hum. Reno Viruses, 1990, 6, 491–501; Piantadosi, C., J. Marasco C. J., S. L. Morris-Natschke, K. L. Meyer, F. Gumus, J. R. Surles, K. S. Ishaq, L. S. Kucera, N. Iyer, C. A. Wallen, S. Piantadosi, and E. J. Modest, “Synthesis and evaluation of novel ether lipid nucleoside conjugates for anti-HIV activity,” J. Med. Chem., 1991, 34, 1408–1414; Hosteller, K. Y., D. D. Richman, D. A. Carson, L. M. Stuhmiller, G. M. T. van Wijk, and H. van den Bosch, “Greatly enhanced inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in CEM and HT4-6C cells by 3′-deoxythymidine diphosphate dimyristoylglycerol, a lipid prodrug of 3,-deoxythymidine,” Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 1992, 36, 2025–2029; Hosetler, K. Y., L. M. Stuhmiller, H. B. Lenting, H. van den Bosch, and D. D. Richman, “Synthesis and antiretroviral activity of phospholipid analogs of azidothymidine and other antiviral nucleosides.” J. Biol. Chem., 1990, 265, 61127.

Nonlimiting examples of U.S. patents that disclose suitable lipophilic substituents that can be covalently incorporated into the nucleoside, preferably at the 5′-OH position of the nucleoside or lipophilic preparations, include U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,794 (Sep. 22, 1992, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,654 (Mar. 16, 1993, Hostetler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,263 (Jun. 29, 1993, Hostetler et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,641 (Oct. 26, 1993, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,947 (May 2, 1995, Hostetler et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,092 (Oct. 31, 1995, Hostetler et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,389 (Aug. 6, 1996, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,390 (Aug. 6, 1996, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,391 (Aug. 6, 1996, Yatvin et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,728 (Sep. 10, 1996; Basava et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Foreign patent applications that disclose lipophilic substituents that can be attached to the nucleosides of the present invention, or lipophilic preparations, include WO 89/02733, WO 90/00555, WO 91/16920, WO 91/18914, WO 93/00910, WO 94/26273, WO 96/15132, EP 0 350 287, EP 93917054.4, and WO 91/19721.

IV. Combination and Alternation Therapy

It has been recognized that drug-resistant variants of viruses can emerge after prolonged treatment with an antiviral agent. Drug resistance most typically occurs by mutation of a gene that encodes for an enzyme used in viral replication. The efficacy of a drug against flavivirus or pestivirus infection can be prolonged, augmented, or restored by administering the compound in combination or alternation with a second, and perhaps third, antiviral compound that induces a different mutation from that caused by the principle drug. Alternatively, the pharmacokineties, biodistribution or other parameter of the drug can be altered by such combination or alternation therapy. In general, combination therapy is typically preferred over alternation therapy because it induces multiple simultaneous stresses on the virus.

Nonlimiting examples of antiviral agents that can be used in combination or alternation with the compounds disclosed herein include:

(1) an interferon and/or ribavirin (Battaglia, A. M. et al., Ann. Pharmacother. 34:487–494, 2000); Berenguer, M. et al. Antivir. Ther. 3(Suppl. 3):125–136, 1998);

(2) Substrate-based NS3 protease inhibitors (Attwood et al., Antiviral peptide derivatives, PCT WO 98/22496, 1998; Attwood et al., Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 10.259–273, 1999; Attwood et al., Preparation and use of amino acid derivatives as anti-viral agents, German Patent Publication DE 19914474; Tung et al. Inhibitors of serine proteases, particularly hepatitis C virus NS3 protease, PCT WO 98/17679), including alphaketoamides and hydrazinoureas, and inhibitors that terminate in an electrophile such as a boronic acid or phosphonate. Llinas-Brunet et al., Hepatitis C inhibitor peptide analogues, PCT WO 99/07734.

(3) Non-substrate-based inhibitors such as 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-nitro-benzamide derivatives(Sudo K. et al., Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 238:643–647, 1997; Sudo K. et al. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 9:186, 1998), including RD3-4082 and RD3-4078, the former substituted on the amide with a 14 carbon chain and the latter processing a para-phenoxyphenyl group;

(4) Thiazolidine derivatives which show relevant inhibition in a reverse-phase HPLC assay with an NS3/4A fusion protein and NS5A/5B substrate (Sudo K. et al., Antiviral Research 32:9–18, 1996), especially compound RD-1-6250, possessing a fused cinnamoyl moiety substituted with a long alkyl chain, RD4 6205 and RD4 6193;

(5) Thiazolidines and benzanilides identified in Kakiuchi N. et al. J. EBS Letters 421:217–220; Takeshita N. et al. Analytical Biochemistry 247:242–246, 1997;

(6) A phenan-threnequinone possessing activity against protease in a SDS-PAGE and autoradiography assay isolated from the fermentation culture broth of Streptomyces sp., Sch 68631 (Chu M. et al., Tetrahedron Letters 37:7229–7232, 1996), and Sch 351633, isolated from the fungus Penicillium griscofuluum, which demonstrates activity in a scintillation proximity assay (Chu M. et al., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters 9:1949–1952);

(7) Selective NS3 inhibitors based on the macromolecule elgin c, isolated from leech (Qasim M. A. et al., Biochemistry 36:1598–1607, 1997);

(8) Helicase inhibitors (Diana G. D. et al., Compounds, compositions and methods for treatment of hepatitis C, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,358; Diana G. D. et al., Piperidine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and their use in the treatment of hepatitis C, PCT WO 97/36554);

(9) Polymerase inhibitors such as nucleotide analogues, gliotoxin (Ferrari R. et al. Journal of Virology 73:1649–1654, 1999), and the natural product cerulenin (Lohmann V. et al., Virology 249:108–118, 1998);

(10) Antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (S-ODN) complementary to sequence stretches in the 5′ non-coding region (NCR) of the virus (Alt M. et al., Hepatology 22:707–717, 1995), or nucleotides 326–348 comprising the 3′ end of the NCR and nucleotides 371–388 located in the core coding region of the IICV RNA (Alt M. et al., Archives of Virology 142:589–599, 1997; Galderisi U. et al., Journal of Cellular Physiology 181:251–257, 1999);

(11) Inhibitors of IRES-dependent translation (Ikeda N et al., Agent for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C, Japanese Patent Publication JP-08268890; Kai Y. et al. Prevention and treatment of viral diseases, Japanese Patent Publication JP-10101591);

(12) Nuclease-resistant ribozymes. (Maccjak D. J. et al., Hepatology 30 abstract 995, 1999); and

(13) Other miscellaneous compounds including 1-amino-alkylcyclohexanes (U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,134 to Gold et al.), alkyl lipids (U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,757 to Chojkier et al.), vitamin E and other antioxidants (U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,757 to Chojkier et al.), squalene, amantadine, bile acids (U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,964 to Ozeki et al.), N-(phosphonoacetyl)-L-aspartic acid, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,905 to Diana et al.), benzenedicarboxamides (U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,388 to Diana et al.), polyadenylic acid derivatives (U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,546 to Wang et al.), 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,687 to Yarchoan et al.), and benzimidazoles (U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,874 to Colacino et al.).

V. Pharmaceutical Compositions

Host, including humans, infected with flavivirus or pestivirus, or a gene fragment thereof can be treated by administering to the patient an effective amount of the active compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug or salt thereof in the presence of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The active materials can be administered by any appropriate route, for example, orally, parenterally, intravenously, intradermally, subcutaneously, or topically, in liquid or solid form.

A preferred dose of the compound for flavivirus or pestivirus infection will be in the range from about 1 to 50 mg/kg, preferably 1 to 20 mg/kg, of body weight per day, more generally 0.1 to about 100 mg per kilogram body weight of the recipient per day. The effective dosage range of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs can be calculated based on the weight of the parent nucleoside to be delivered. If the salt or prodrug exhibits activity in itself, the effective dosage can be estimated as above using the weight of the salt or prodrug, or by other means known to those skilled in the art.

The compound is conveniently administered in unit any suitable dosage form, including but not limited to one containing 7 to 3000 mg, preferably 70 to 1400 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form. A oral dosage of 50–1000 mg is usually convenient.

Ideally the active ingredient should be administered to achieve peak plasma concentrations of the active compound of from about 0.2 to 70 μM, preferably about 1.0 to 10 μM. This may be achieved, for example, by the intravenous injection of a 0.1 to 5% solution of the active ingredient, optionally in saline, or administered as a bolus of the active ingredient.

The concentration of active compound in the drug composition will depend on absorption, inactivation, and excretion rates of the drug as well as other factors known to those of skill in the art. It is to be noted that dosage values will also vary with the severity of the condition to be alleviated. It is to be further understood that for any particular subject, specific dosage regimens should be adjusted over time according to the individual need and the professional judgment of the person administering or supervising the administration of the compositions, and that the concentration ranges set forth herein are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope or practice of the claimed composition. The active ingredient may be administered at once, or may be divided into a number of smaller doses to be administered at varying intervals of time.

A preferred mode of administration of the active compound is oral. Oral compositions will generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier. They may be enclosed in gelatin capsules or compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches or capsules. Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materials can be included as part of the composition.

The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it can contain, in addition to material of the above type, a liquid earner such as a fatty oil. In addition, dosage unit forms can contain various other materials which modify the physical form of the dosage unit, for example, coatings of sugar, shellac, or other enteric agents.

The compound can be administered as a component of an elixir, suspension, syrup, wafer, chewing gum or the like. A syrup may contain, in addition to the active compounds, sucrose as a sweetening agent and certain preservatives, dyes and colorings and flavors.

The compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug or salts thereof can also be mixed with other active materials that do not impair the desired action, or with materials that supplement the desired action, such as antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, or other antivirals, including other nucleoside compounds. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, subcutaneous, or topical application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The parental preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

If administered intravenously, preferred carriers are physiological saline or phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

In a preferred embodiment, the active compounds are prepared with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid elimination from the body, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters and polylactic acid. Methods for preparation of such formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The materials can also be obtained commercially from Alza Corporation.

Liposomal suspensions (including liposomes targeted to infected cells with monoclonal antibodies to viral antigens) are also preferred as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These may be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). For example, lipdsome formulations may be prepared by dissolving appropriate lipid(s) (such as stearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine, stearoyl phosphatidyl choline, arachadoyl phosphatidyl choline, and cholesterol) in an inorganic solvent that is then evaporated, leaving behind a thin film of dried lipid on the surface of the container. An aqueous solution of the active compound or its monophosphate, diphosphate, and/or triphosphate derivatives is then introduced into the container. The container is then swirled by hand to free lipid material from the sides of the container and to disperse lipid aggregates, thereby forming the liposomal suspension.

VI. Processes for the Preparation of Active Compounds

The nucleosides of the present invention can be synthesized by any means known in the art. In particular, the synthesis of the present nucleosides can be achieved by either alkylating the appropriately modified sugar, followed by glycosylation or glycosylation followed by alkylation of the nucleoside. The following non-limiting embodiments illustrate some general methodology to obtain the nucleosides of the present invention.

A. General Synthesis of 1′-C-Branched Nucleosides

1′-C-Branched ribonucleosides of the following structure:

-   wherein BASE is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², hydroxy, alkyl (including     lower alkyl), azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl,     —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl),     —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine,     NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁸ and R¹⁰ are independently H, alkyl (including lower alkyl),     chlorine, bromine or iodine; alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, R⁷ and R¹⁰,     R⁸ and R⁹, or R⁸ and R¹⁰ can come together to form a pi bond; -   R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently     H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is an alkyl, halogeno-alkyl (i.e. CF₃), alkenyl, or alkynyl (i.e.     allyl); and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂     can be prepared by one of the following general methods.     1) Modification from the Lactone

The key starting material for this process is an appropriately substituted lactone. The lactone can be purchased or can be prepared by any known means including standard epimerization, substitution and cyclization techniques. The lactone can be optionally protected with a suitable protecting group, preferably with an acyl or silyl group, by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991. The protected lactone can then be coupled with a suitable coupling agent, such as anorganometallic carbon nucleophile, such as a Grignard reagent, an organolithium, lithium dialkylcopper or R⁶-SiMe₃ in TBAF with the appropriate non-protic solvent at a suitable temperature, to give the 1′-alkylated sugar.

The optionally activated sugar can then be coupled to the BASE by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Townsend Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides, Plenum Press, 1994. For example, an acylated sugar can be coupled to a silylated base with a lewis acid, such as tin tetrachloride, titanium tetrachloride or trimethylsilyltriflate in the appropriate solvent at a suitable temperature.

Subsequently, the nucleoside can be deprotected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

In a particular embodiment, the 1′-C-branched ribonucleoside is desired. The synthesis of a ribonucleoside is shown in Scheme 1. Alternatively, deoxyribo-nucleoside is desired. To obtain these nucleosides, the formed ribonucleoside can optionally be protected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, and then the 2′-OH can be reduced with a suitable reducing agent. Optionally, the 2′-hydroxyl can be activated to facilitate reduction; i.e. via the Barton reduction.

2. Alternative Method for the Preparation of 1′-C-Branched Nucleosides

The key starting material for this process is an appropriately substituted hexose. The hexose can be purchased or can be prepared by any known means including standard epimerization (e.g. via alkaline treatment), substitution and coupling techniques. The hexose can be selectively protected to give the appropriate hexa-faranose, as taught by Townsend Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides, Plenum Press, 1994.

The 1′-hydroxyl can be optionally activated to a suitable leaving group such as an acyl group or a halogen via acylation or halogenation, respectively. The optionally activated sugar can then be coupled to the BASE by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Townsend Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides, Plenum Press, 1994. For example, an acylated sugar can be coupled to a silylated base with a lewis acid, such as tin tetrachloride, titanium tetrachloride or trimethylsilyltriflate in the appropriate solvent at a suitable temperature.

Alternatively, a halo-sugar can be coupled to a silylated base with the presence of trimethylsilyltriflate.

The 1′-CH₂—OH, if protected, can be selectively deprotected by methods well known in the art. The resultant primary hydroxyl can be functionalized to yield various C-branched nucleosides. For example, the primary hydroxyl can be reduced to give the methyl, using a suitable reducing agent. Alternatively, the hydroxyl can be activated prior to reduction to facilitate the reaction; i.e. via the Barton reduction. In an alternate embodiment, the primary hydroxyl can be oxidized to the aldehyde, then coupled with a carbon nucleophile, such as a Grignard reagent, an organolithium, lithium dialkylcopper or R⁶—SiMe₃ in TBAF with the appropriate non-protic solvent at a suitable temperature.

In a particular embodiment, the 1′-C-branched ribonucleoside is desired. The synthesis of a ribonucleoside is shown in Scheme 2. Alternatively, deoxyribo-nucleoside is desired. To obtain these nucleosides, the formed ribonucleoside can optionally be protected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, and then the 2′-OH can be reduced with a suitable reducing agent. Optionally, the 2′-hydroxyl can be activated to facilitate reduction; i.e. via the Barton reduction.

In addition, the L-enantiomers corresponding to the compounds of the invention can be prepared following the same general methods (1 or 2), beginning with the corresponding L-sugar or nucleoside L-enantiomer as starting material.

B. General Synthesis of 2′-C-Branched Nucleosides

2′-C-Branched ribonucleosides of the following structure:

-   wherein BASE is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², hydroxy, alkyl (including     lower alkyl), azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl,     —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl),     —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorines bromine, iodine,     NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R¹⁰ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or     iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, or R⁷ and R¹⁰ can come together to form a     pi bond; -   R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently     H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is an alkyl, halogeno-alkyl (i.e. CF₃), alkenyl, or alkynyl (i.e.     allyl); and -   X is O, S SO₂ or CH₂     can be prepared by one of the following general methods.     1. Glycosylation of the Nucleobase with an Appropriately Modified     Sugar

The key starting material for this process is an appropriately substituted sugar with a 2′-OH and 2′-H, with the appropriate leaving group (LG), for example an acyl group or a halogen. The sugar can be purchased or can be prepared by any known means including standard epimerization, substitution, oxidation and reduction techniques. The substituted sugar can then be oxidized with the appropriate oxidizing agent in a compatible solvent at a suitable temperature to yield the 2′-modified sugar. Possible oxidizing agents are Jones reagent (a mixture of chromic acid and sulfuric acid), Collins's reagent (dipyridine Cr(VI) oxide, Corey's reagent (pyridinium chlorochromate), pyridinium dichromate, acid dichromate, potassium permanganate, MnO₂, ruthenium tetroxide, phase transfer catalysts such as chromic acid or permanganate supported on a polymer, Cl₂-pyridine, H₂O₂-ammonium molybdate, NaBrO₂-CAN, NaOCl in HOAc, copper chromite, copper oxide, Raney nickel, palladium acetate, Meerwin-Pondorf-Verley reagent (aluminum t-butoxide with another ketone) and N-bromosuccinimide.

Then coupling of an organometallic carbon nucleophile, such as a Grignard reagent, an organolithium, lithium dialkylcopper or R⁶—SiMe₃ in TBAF with the ketone with the appropriate non-protic solvent at a suitable temperature, yields the 2′-alkylated sugar. The alkylated sugar can be optionally protected with a suitable protecting group, preferably with an acyl or silyl group, by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

The optionally protected sugar can then be coupled to the BASE by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Townsend Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides, Plenum Press, 1994. For example, an acylated sugar can be coupled to a silylated base with a lewis acid, such as tin tetrachloride, titanium tetrachloride or trimethylsilyltriflate in the appropriate solvent at a suitable temperature. Alternatively, a halo-sugar can be coupled to a silylated base with the presence of trimethylsilyltriflate.

Subsequently, the nucleoside can be deprotected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

In a particular embodiment, the 2′-C-branched ribonucleoside is desired. The synthesis of a ribonucleoside is shown in Scheme 3. Alternatively, deoxyribo-nucleoside is desired. To obtain these nucleosides, the formed ribonucleoside can optionally be protected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, and then the 2′-OH can be reduced with a suitable reducing agent. Optionally, the 2′-hydroxyl can be activated to facilitate reduction; i.e. via the Barton reduction.

2. Modification of a Pre-Formed Nucleoside

The key starting material for this process is an appropriately substituted nucleoside with a 2′-OH and 2′-H. The nucleoside can be purchased or can be prepared by any known means including standard coupling techniques. The nucleoside can be optionally protected with suitable protecting groups, preferably with acyl or silyl groups, by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

The appropriately protected nucleoside can then be oxidized with the appropriate oxidizing agent in a compatible solvent at a suitable temperature to yield the 2′-modified sugar. Possible oxidizing agents are Jones reagent (a mixture of chromic acid and sulfuric acid), Collins's reagent (dipyridine Cr(VI) oxide, Corey's reagent (pyridinium chlorochromate), pyridinium dichromate, acid dichromate, potassium permanganate, MnO₂, ruthenium tetroxide, phase transfer catalysts such as chromic acid or permanganate supported on a polymer, Cl₂-pyridine, H₂O₂-ammonium molybdate, NaBrO₂-CAN, NaOCl in HOAc, copper chromite, copper oxide, Raney nickel, palladium acetate, Meerwin-Pondorf-Verley reagent (aluminum t-butoxide with another ketone) and N-bromosuccinimide.

Subsequently, the nucleoside can be deprotected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by GreeneGreene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

In a particular embodiment, the 2′-C-branched ribonucleoside is desired. The synthesis of a ribonucleoside is shown in Scheme 4. Alternatively, deoxyribo-nucleoside is desired. To obtain these nucleosides, the formed ribonucleoside can optionally be protected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, and then the 2′-OH can be reduced with a suitable reducing agent. Optionally, the 2′-hydroxyl can be activated to facilitate reduction; i.e. via the Barton reduction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the L-enantiomers are desired. Therefore, the L-enantiomers can be corresponding to the compounds of the invention can be prepared following the same foregoing general methods, beginning with the corresponding L-sugar or nucleoside L-enantiomer as starting material.

C. General Synthesis of 3′-C-Branched Nucleosides

3′-C-Branched ribonucleosides of the following structure:

-   wherein BASE is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined herein; -   R⁷ and R⁹ are independently hydrogen, OR², hydroxy, alkyl (including     lower alkyl), azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl,     —C(O)O(alkyl), —C(O)O(lower alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(lower acyl),     —O(alkyl), —O(lower alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine,     NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, —N(acyl)₂; -   R⁸ is H, alkyl (including lower alkyl), chlorine, bromine or iodine; -   alternatively, R⁷ and R⁹, or R⁸ and R⁹ can come together to form a     pi bond; -   R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate (including monophosphate,     diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug); acyl     (including lower acyl); alkyl (including lower alkyl); sulfonate     ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including     methanesulfonyl and benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally     substituted with one or more substituents as described in the     definition of aryl given herein; a lipid, including a phospholipid;     an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol, or other     pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in     vivo is capable of providing a compound wherein R¹ is independently     H or phosphate; -   R⁶ is an alkyl, halogeno-alkyl (i.e. CF₃), alkenyl, or alkynyl (i.e.     allyl); and -   X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂     can be prepared by one of the following general methods.     1 Glycosylation of the Nucleobase with an Appropriately Modified     Sugar

The key starting material for this process is an appropriately substituted sugar with a 3′-OH and 3′-H, with the appropriate leaving group (LG), for example an acyl group or a halogen. The sugar can be purchased or can be prepared by any known means including standard epimerization, substitution, oxidation and reduction techniques. The substituted sugar can then be oxidized with the appropriate oxidizing agent in a compatible solvent at a suitable temperature to yield the 3′-modified sugar. Possible oxidizing agents are Jones reagent (a mixture of chromic acid and sulfuric acid), Collins's reagent (dipyridine Cr(VI) oxide, Corey's reagent (pyridinium chlorochromate), pyridinium dichromate, acid dichromate, potassium permanganate, MnO₂, ruthenium tetroxide, phase transfer catalysts such as chromic acid or permanganate supported on a polymer, Cl₂-pyridine, H₂O₂-ammonium molybdate, NaBrO₂-CAN, NaOCl in HOAc, copper chromite, copper oxide, Raney nickel, palladium acetate, Meerwin-Pondorf-Verley reagent (aluminum t-butoxide with another ketone) and N-bromosuccinimide.

Then coupling of an organometallic carbon nucleophile, such as a Grignard reagent, an organolithium, lithium dialkylcopper or R⁶—SiMe₃ in TBAF with the ketone with the appropriate non-protic solvent at a suitable temperature, yields the 3′-C-branched sugar. The 3′-C-branched sugar can be optionally protected with a suitable protecting group, preferably with an acyl or silyl group, by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

The optionally protected sugar can then be coupled to the BASE by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Townsend Chemistry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides, Plenum Press, 1994. For example, an acylated sugar can be coupled to a silylated base with a lewis acid, such as tin tetrachloride, titanium tetrachloride or trimethylsilyltriflate in the appropriate solvent at a suitable temperature. Alternatively, a halo-sugar can be coupled to a silylated base with the presence of trimethylsilyltriflate.

Subsequently, the nucleoside can be deprotected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

In a particular embodiment, the 3′-C-branched ribonucleoside is desired. The synthesis of a ribonucleoside is shown in Scheme 5. Alternatively, deoxyribo-nucleoside is desired. To obtain these nucleosides, the formed ribonucleoside can optionally be protected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, and then the 2′-OH can be reduced with a suitable reducing agent. Optionally, the 2′-hydroxyl can be activated to facilitate reduction; i.e. via the Barton reduction.

2. Modification of a Pre-Formed Nucleoside

The key starting material for this process is an appropriately substituted nucleoside with a 3′-OH and 3′-H. The nucleoside can be purchased or can be prepared by any known means including standard coupling techniques. The nucleoside can be optionally protected with suitable protecting groups, preferably with acyl or silyl groups, by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

The appropriately protected nucleoside can then be oxidized with the appropriate oxidizing agent in a compatible solvent at a suitable temperature to yield the 2′-modified sugar. Possible oxidizing agents are Jones reagent (a mixture of chromic acid and sulfuric acid), Collins's reagent (dipyridine Cr(VI) oxide, Corey's reagent (pyridinium chlorochromate), pyridinium dichromate, acid dichromate, potassium permanganate, MnO₂, ruthenium tetroxide, phase transfer catalysts such as chromic acid or permanganate supported on a polymer, Cl₂-pyridine, H₂O₂-ammonium molybdate, NaBrO₂-CAN, NaOCl in HOAc, copper chromite, copper oxide, Raney nickel, palladium acetate, Meerwin-Pondorf-Verley reagent (aluminum t-butoxide with another ketone) and N-bromosuccinimide.

Subsequently, the nucleoside can be deprotected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

In a particular embodiment, the 3′-C-branched ribonucleoside is desired. The synthesis of a ribonucleoside is shown in Scheme 6. Alternatively, deoxyribo-nucleoside is desired. To obtain these nucleosides, the formed ribonucleoside can optionally be protected by methods well known to those skilled in the art, as taught by Greene et al. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, and then the 2′-OH can be reduced with a suitable reducing agent. Optionally, the 2′-hydroxyl can be activated to facilitate reduction; i.e. via the Barton reduction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the L-enantiomers are desired. Therefore, the L-enantiomers can be corresponding to the compounds of the invention can be prepared following the same foregoing general methods, beginning with the corresponding L-sugar or nucleoside L-enantiomer as starting material.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of 1′-C-methylriboadenine via 6-amino-9-(1-deoxy-β-D-psicofuranosyl)purine

The title compound could also be prepared according to a published procedure (J. Farkas, and F. Sorm, “Nucleic acid components and their analogues. XCIV. Synthesis of 6-amino-9-(1-deoxy-β-D-psicofuranosyl)purine” Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 1967, 32, 2663–2667; J. Farkas”, Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 1966, 31, 1535) (Scheme 7).

In a similar manner, but using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases, the following nucleosides of Formula I are prepared.

(I)

wherein: R¹ R² R³ X¹ X² Y H H H H H H H H H H H NH₂ H H H H H NH-cyclopropyl H H H H H NH-methyl H H H H H NH-ethyl H H H H H NH-acetyl H H H H H OH H H H H H OMe H H H H H OEt H H H H H O-cyclopropyl H H H H H O-acetyl H H H H H SH H H H H H SMe H H H H H SEt H H H H H 5-cyclopropyl H H H H H F H H H H H Cl H H H H H Br H H H H H I monophosphate H H H H NH₂ monophosphate H H H H NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H NH-methyl monophosphate H H H H NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H H OH monophosphate H H H H O-acetyl monophosphate H H H H OMe monophosphate H H H H OEt monophosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H SH monophosphate H H H H SMe monophosphate H H H H SEt monophosphate H H H H 5-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H F monophosphate H H H H Cl monophosphate H H H H Br monophosphate H H H H I diphosphate H H H H NH₂ diphosphate H H H H NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H NH-methyl diphosphate H H H H NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H H OH diphosphate H H H H O-acetyl diphosphate H H H H OMe diphosphate H H H H OEt diphosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H SH diphosphate H H H H SMe diphosphate H H H H SEt diphosphate H H H H 5-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H F diphosphate H H H H Cl diphosphate H H H H Br diphosphate H H H H I triphosphate H H H H NH₂ triphosphate H H H H NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H NH-methyl triphosphate H H H H NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H H OH triphosphate H H H H OMe triphosphate H H H H OEt triphosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H O-acetyl triphosphate H H H H SH triphosphate H H H H SMe triphosphate H H H H SEt triphosphate H H H H 5-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H F triphosphate H H H H Cl triphosphate H H H H Br triphosphate H H H H I monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H OH monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H F monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H Cl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H F diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H Cl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H F triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H Cl H H H F H NH₂ H H H F H NH-cyclopropyl H H H F H OH H H H F H F H H H F H Cl H H H Cl H NH₂ H H H Cl H NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl H OH H H H Cl H F H H H Cl H Cl H H H Br H NH₂ H H H Br H NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br H OH H H H Br H F H H H Br H Cl H H H NH₂ H NH₂ H H H NH₂ H NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ H OH H H H NH₂ H F H H H NH₂ H Cl H H H SH H NH₂ H H H SH H NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH H OH H H H SH H F H H H SH H Cl acetyl H H H H NH₂ acetyl H H H H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H H OH acetyl H H H H F acetyl H H H H Cl acetyl H H F H NH₂ aceiyl H H F H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F H OH acetyl H H F H F acetyl H H F H Cl H acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ H acetyl acetyl. H H NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H H OH H acetyl acetyl H H F H acetyl acetyl H H Cl acetyl acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H H OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H H F acetyl acetyl acetyl H H Cl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H F monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H F diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H F triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl H H H H NH₂ H H H H H NH₂ NH₂ H H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ NH-methyl H H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl H H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl H H H H NH₂ OH H H H H NH₂ OMe H H H H NH₂ OEt H H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ O-acetyl H H H H NH₂ SH H H H H NH₂ SMe H H H H NH₂ SEt H H H H NH₂ 5-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ F H H H H NH₂ Cl H H H H NH₂ Br H H H H NH₂ I monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ OH monophosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ OMe monophosphate H H H NH₂ OEt monophosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ SH monophosphate H H H NH₂ SMe monophosphate H H H NH₂ SEt monophosphate H H H NH₂ 5-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ F monophosphate H H H NH₂ Cl monophosphate H H H NH₂ Br monophosphate H H H NH₂ I diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ OH diphosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ OMe diphosphate H H H NH₂ OEt diphosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ SH diphosphate H H H NH₂ SMe diphosphate H H H NH₂ SEt diphosphate H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ F diphosphate H H H NH₂ Cl diphosphate H H H NH₂ Br diphosphate H H H NH₂ I triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ OH triphosphate H H H NH₂ OMe triphosphate H H H NH₂ OEt triphosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ SH triphosphate H H H NH₂ SMe triphosphate H H H NH₂ SEt triphosphate H H H NH₂ 5-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ F triphosphate H H H NH₂ Cl triphosphate H H H NH₂ Br triphosphate H H H NH₂ I monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ OH monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ F monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ Cl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ F diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ Cl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ F triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ Cl H H H F NH₂ NH₂ H H H F NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H F NH₂ OH H H H F NH₂ F H H H F NH₂ Cl H H H Cl NH₂ NH₂ H H H Cl NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl NH₂ OH H H H Cl NH₂ F H H H Cl NH₂ Cl H H H Br NH₂ NH₂ H H H Br NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br NH₂ OH H H H Br NH₂ F H H H Br NH₂ Cl H H H NH₂ NH₂ NH₂ H H H NH₂ NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ NH₂ OH H H H NH₂ NH₂ F H H H NH₂ NH₂ Cl H H H SH NH₂ NH₂ H H H SH NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH NH₂ OH H H H SH NH₂ F H H H SH NH₂ Cl acetyl H H H NH₂ NH₂ acetyl H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H NH₂ OH acetyl H H H NH₂ F acetyl H H H NH₂ Cl acetyl H H F NH₂ NH₂ acetyl H H F NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F NH₂ OH acetyl H H F NH₂ F acetyl H H F NH₂ Cl H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl H H H H Cl H H H H H Cl H H H H H Cl NH₂ H H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl NH-methyl H H H H Cl NH-ethyl H H H H Cl NH-acetyl H H H H Cl OH H H H H Cl OMe H H H H Cl OEt H H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl O-acetyl H H H H Cl SH H H H H Cl SMe H H H H Cl SEt H H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH₂ monophosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H Cl OH monophosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl monophosphate H H H Cl OMe monophosphate H H H Cl GEt monophosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl SH monophosphate H H H Cl SMe monophosphate H H H Cl SEt monophosphate H H H Cl 5-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH₂ diphosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H Cl OH diphosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl diphosphate H H H Cl OMe diphosphate H H H Cl OEt diphosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl SH diphosphate H H H Cl SMe diphosphate H H H Cl SEt diphosphate H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH₂ triphosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H Cl OH triphosphate H H H Cl OMe triphosphate H H H Cl OEt triphosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl triphosphate H H H Cl SH triphosphate H H H Cl SMe triphosphate H H H Cl SEt triphosphate H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl OH H H H F Cl NH₂ H H H F Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H F Cl OH H H H Cl Cl NH₂ H H H Cl Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl Cl OH H H H Br Cl NH₂ H H H Br Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br Cl OH H H H NH₂ Cl NH₂ H H H NH₂ Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ Cl OH H H H SH Cl NH₂ H H H SH Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH Cl OH acetyl H H H Cl NH₂ acetyl H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H Cl OH acetyl H H F Cl NH₂ acetyl H H F Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F Cl OH H acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H Cl OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl ii Cl NU-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH H H H H Cl NH₂ H H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl OH H H H H Br NH₂ H H H H Br NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Br OH

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula IV are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(IV)

wherein: R¹ R² R³ X¹ Y H H H H H H H H H NH₂ H H H H NH- cyclopropyl H H H H NH-methyl H H H H NH-ethyl H H H H NH-acetyl H H H H OH H H H H OMe H H H H OEt H H H H O- cyclopropyl H H H H O-acetyl H H H H SH H H H H SMe H H H H SEt H H H H 5- cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ monophosphate H H H NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH- cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NB-methyl monophosphate H H H NB-ethyl monophosphate H H H OH monophosphate H H H O-acetyl monophosphate H H H OMe monophosphate H H H OEt monophosphate H H H O- cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H SH monophosphate H H H SMe monophosphate H H H SEt monophosphate H H H 5- cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ diphosphate H H H NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH- cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH-methyl diphosphate H H H NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H OH diphosphate H H H O-acetyl diphosphate H H H OMe diphosphate H H H OEt diphosphate H H H O- cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H SH diphosphate H H H SMe diphosphate H H H SEt diphosphate H H H S- cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ triphosphate H H H NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH- cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH-methyl triphosphate H H H NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H OH triphosphate H H H OMe triphosphate H H H OEt triphosphate H H H O- cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H O-acetyl triphosphate H H H SH triphosphate H H H SMe triphosphate H H H SEt triphosphate H H H S- cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH- cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH- cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH- cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H OH H H H F NH₂ H H H F NH- cyclopropyl H H H F OH H H H Cl NH₂ H H H Cl NH- cyclopropyl H H H Cl OH H H H Br NH₂ H H H Br NH- cyclopropyl H H H Br OH H H H NH₂ NH₂ H H H NH₂ NH- cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ OH H H H SH NH₂ H H H SH NH- cyclopropyl H H H SH OH acetyl H H H NH₂ acetyl H H H NH- cyclopropyl acetyl H H H OH acetyl H H F NH₂ acetyl H H F NH- cyclopropyl acetyl H H F OH H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H NH- cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH- cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH- cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH- cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH- cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H OH

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula VII are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(VII)

wherein: R¹ R² R³ R⁶ X Base H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil H H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ O Thymine H H H CH₃ O Cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O Uracil H H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluraci H H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ S Thymine H H H CH₃ S Cytosine H H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ S Uracil H H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthym monophosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ 5 2,4-O- Diacetylthym monophosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosrne diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthym diphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine triphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ O 4-N,N- diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- O 4-(N,N- vinyl diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- S 4-(N,N- vinyl diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine H H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine H H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine H H H CH₃ O guanine H H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine H H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine H H H CH₃ O adenine H H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine H H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine H H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine H H H CH₃ S guanine H H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine H H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine H H H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H H CR3 O 8-fluoroguanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O guanine triphosphate H H CR3 O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O ademne monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S adenine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ O guanine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ S guanine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- O guanine vinyl acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- S guanine vinyl

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula VIII are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(VIII)

wherein R¹ R² R⁶ X Base H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacethylthymine H H CH₃ O Thymine H H CH₃ O Cytosine H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H CH₃ O Uracil H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H H CH₃ S Thymine H H CH₃ S Cytosine H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H CH₃ S Uracil H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate H CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate H CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate H CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate H CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate H CF₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate H CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate H CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate H CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate H CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-diacethylthymine diphosphate H CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate H CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate H CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate H CH₃ S Cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ S Uracil diphosphate H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-diacethylthymine triphosphate H CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate H CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate H CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate H CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ S Uracil triphosphate H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthyinine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl acetyl CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine vinyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine vinyl H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine H H CH₃ O guanine H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine H H CH₃ O adenine H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine H H CH₃ S guanine H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine H H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H CH₃ O guanine monophosphate H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate H CH₃ O adenine monophosphate H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H CH₃ S guanine monophosphate H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate H CH₃ S adenine diphosphate H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine diphosphate H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H CH₃ O guanine diphosphate H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine diphosphate H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine diphosphate H CH₃ O adenine diphosphate H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine diphosphate H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H CH₃ S guanine diphosphate H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine diphosphate H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine diphosphate H CH₃ S adenine triphosphate H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine triphosphate H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine triphosphate H CH₃ O guanine triphosphate H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine triphosphate H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine triphosphate H CH₃ O adenine triphosphate H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine triphosphate H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine triphosphate H CH₃ S guanine triphosphate H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine triphosphate H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine triphosphate H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O guanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O adenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S guanine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2, 8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S adenine acetyl acetyl CF₃ O guanine acetyl acetyl CF₃ S guanine acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- O guanine vinyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- S guanine vinyl

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula IX are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(IX)

wherein: R¹ R⁶ X Base H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H CH₃ O Thymine H CH₃ O Cytosine H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H CH₃ O Uracil H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H CH₃ S Thymine H CH₃ S Cytosine H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H CH₃ S Uracil H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CH₃ O Thymine monophosphate CH₃ O Cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O Uracil monophosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CH₃ S Thymine monophosphate CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytos monophosphate CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 2;4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate CH₃ S Thymine triphospahate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphospahate CH₃ S Thymine triphospahate CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CF₃ O ITypoxanthine monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytos monophosphate CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XVI are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XVI)

wherein: R¹ R⁶ R⁷ R⁸ X Base R¹⁰ R⁹ H CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me H CH₃ H H O Hypoxanthine OH Me H CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me H CH₃ H H O Thymine OH Me H CH₃ H H O Cytosine OH Me H CH₃ H H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me H CH₃ H H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me H CH₃ H H O Uracil OH Me H CH₃ H H O 5-Fluorouracil OH Me H CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me H CH₃ H H S Hypoxanthine OH Me H CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me H CH₃ H H S Thymine OH Me H CH₃ H H S Cytosine OH Me H CH₃ H H S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me H CH₃ H H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me H CH₃ H H S Uracil OH Me H CH₃ H H S 5-Fluorouracil OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O Hypoxanthine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O Thymine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O Cytosine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O Uracil OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H O 5-Fluorouracil OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S Hypoxanthine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S Thymine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S Cytosine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S Uracil OH Me monophosphate CH₃ H H S 5-Fluorouracil OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O Hypoxanthine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O Thymine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O Cytosine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O Uracil OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H O 5-Fluorouracil OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H S Hypoxanthine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H S Thymine OH Me diphosphate CH₃ H H S Cytosine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O Hypoxanthine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O Thymine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O Cytosine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O Uracil OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H O 5-Fluorouracil OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H S Hypoxanthine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H S Thymine OH Me triphosphate CH₃ H H S Cytosine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O Hypoxanthine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O Thymine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O Cytosine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O Uracil OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H O 5-Fluorouracil OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S Hypoxanthine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S Thymine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S Cytosine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S Uracil OH Me monophosphate CF₃ H H S 5-Fluorouracil OH Me acetyl CH₃ H H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br acetyl CH₃ H H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br acetyl CH₃ OH H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br acetyl CH₃ OH H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br

Example 2 Preparation of 2′-C-methylriboadenine

The title compound was prepared according to a published procedure (R. E. Harry-O'kuru, J. M. Smith, and M. S. Wolfe, “A short, flexible route toward 2′-C-branched ribonucleosides”, J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 1754–1759) (Scheme 8).

-   -   (a) Dess-Martin periodinane; (b) MeMgBr/TiCl₄; (c) BzCl, DMAP,         Et₃N; (d) bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide, N⁶-benzoyl adenine,         TMSOTf; (e) NH₃/MeOH

In a similar manner, but using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases, the following nucleosides of Formula II are prepared.

(II)

wherein; R¹ R² R³ X¹ X² Y H H H H H H H H H H H NH₂ H H H H H NH-cyclopropyl H H H H H NH-methyl H H H H H NH-ethyl H H H H H NH-acetyl H H H H H OH H H H H H OMe H H H H H OEt H H H H H O-acetyl H H H H H SH H H H H H SMe H H H H H SEt H H H H H S-cyclopropyl H H H H H F H H H H H Cl H H H H H Br H H H H H I monophosphate H H H H NH₂ monophosphate H H H H NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H NH-methyl monophosphate H H H H NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H H OH monophosphate H H H H O-acetyl monophosphate H H H H OMe monophosphate H H H H OEt monophosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H SH monophosphate H H H H SMe monophosphate H H H H SEt monophosphate H H H H S-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H F monophosphate H H H H Cl monophosphate H H H H Br monophosphate H H H H I diphosphate H H H H NH₂ diphosphate H H H H NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H NH-methyl diphosphate H H H H NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H H OH diphosphate H H H H O-acetyl diphosphate H H H H OMe diphosphate H H H H OEt diphosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H SH diphosphate H H H H SMe diphosphate H H H H SEt diphosphate H H H H S-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H F diphosphate H H H H Cl diphosphate H H H H Br diphosphate H H H H I triphosphate H H H H NH₂ triphosphate H H H H NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H NIH-methyl triphosphate H H H H NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H H OH triphosphate H H H H OMe triphosphate H H H H OEt triphosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H O-acetyl triphosphate H H H H SH triphosphate H H H H SMe triphosphate H H H H SEt triphosphate H H H H S-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H F triphosphate H H H H Cl triphosphate H H H H Br triphosphate H H H H I monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H OH monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H F monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H Cl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H F diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H Cl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H OH triphosphate trphosphate triphosphate H H F triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H Cl H H H F H NH₂ H H H F H NH-cyclopropyl H H H F H OH H H H F H F H H H F H Cl H H H Cl H NH₂ H H H Cl H NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl H OH H H H Cl H F H H H Cl H Cl H H H Br H NH₂ H H H Br H NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br H OH H H H Br H F H H H Br H Cl H H H NH₂ H NH₂ H H H NH₂ H NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ H OH H H H NH₂ H F H H H NH₂ H Cl H H H SH H NH₂ H H H SH H NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH H OH H H H SH H F H H H SH H Cl acetyl H H H H NH₂ acetyl H H H H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H H OH acetyl H H H H F acetyl H H H H Cl acetyl H H F H NH₂ acetyl H H F H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F H OH acetyl H H F H F acetyl H H F H Cl H acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H H OH H acetyl acetyl H H F H acetyl acetyl H H Cl acetyl acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H H OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H H F acetyl acetyl acetyl H H Cl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H F monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H F diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H F triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl H H H H NH₂ H H H H H NH₂ NH₂ H H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ NH-methyl H H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl H H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl H H H H NH₂ OH H H H H NH₂ OMe H H H H NH₂ OEt H H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ O-acetyl H H H H NH₂ SH H H H H NH₂ SMe H H H H NH₂ SEt H H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ F H H H H NH₂ Cl H H H H NH₂ Br H H H H NH₂ I monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ OH monophosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ OMe monophosphate H H H NH₂ OEt monophosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ SH monophosphate H H H NH₂ SMe monophosphate H H H NH₂ SEt monophosphate H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ F monophosphate H H H NH₂ Cl monophosphate H H H NH₂ Br monophosphate H H H NH₂ I diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ OH diphosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ OMe diphosphate H H H NH₂ OEt diphosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ SH diphosphate H H H NH₂ SMe diphosphate H H H NH₂ SEt diphosphate H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ F diphosphate H H H NH₂ Cl diphosphate H H H NH₂ Br diphosphate H H H NH₂ I triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl. triphosphate H H H NH₂ OH triphosphate H H H NH₂ OMe triphosphate H H H NH₂ OEt triphosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ SH triphosphate H H H NH₂ SMe triphosphate H H H NH₂ SEt triphosphate H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ F triphosphate H H H NH₂ Cl triphosphate H H H NH₂ Br triphosphate H H H NH₂ I monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ OH monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ F monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ Cl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ F diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ Cl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ F triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ Cl H H H F NH₂ NH₂ H H H F NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H F NH₂ OH H H H F NH₂ F H H H F NH₂ Cl H H H Cl NH₂ NH₂ H H H Cl NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl NH₂ OH H H H Cl NH₂ F H H H Cl NH₂ Cl H H H Br NH₂ NH₂ H H H Br NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br NH₂ OH H H H Br NH₂ F H H H Br NH₂ Cl H H H NH₂ NH₂ NH₂ H H H NH₂ NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ NH₂ OH H H H NH₂ NH₂ F H H H NH₂ NH₂ Cl H H H SH NH₂ NH₂ H H H SH NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH NH₂ OH H H H SH NH₂ F H H H SH NH₂ Cl acetyl H H H NH₂ NH₂ acetyl H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H NH₂ OH acetyl H H H NH₂ F acetyl H H H NH₂ Cl acetyl H H F NH₂ NH₂ acetyl H H F NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F NH₂ OH acetyl H H F NH₂ F acetyl H H F NH₂ Cl H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NIH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl H H H H Cl H H H H H Cl H H H H H Cl NH₂ H H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl NH-methyl H H H H Cl NH-ethyl H H H H Cl NH-acetyl H H H H Cl OH H H H H Cl OMe H H H H Cl OEt H H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl O-acetyl H H H H Cl SH H H H H Cl SMe H H H H Cl SEt H H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH₂ monophosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H Cl OH monophosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl monophosphate H H H Cl OMe monophosphate H H H Cl OEt monophosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl SH monophosphate H H H Cl SMe monophosphate H H H Cl SEt monophosphate H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH₂ diphosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H Cl OH diphosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl diphosphate H H H Cl OMe diphosphate H H H Cl OEt diphosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl SH diphosphate H H H Cl SMe diphosphate H H H Cl SEt diphosphate H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH₂ triphosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H Cl OH triphosphate H H H Cl OMe triphosphate H H H Cl OEt triphosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl triphosphate H H H Cl SH triphosphate H H H Cl SMe triphosphate H H H Cl SEt triphosphate H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl OH H H H F Cl NH₂ H H H F Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H F Cl OH H H H Cl Cl NH₂ H H H Cl Cl NH-cyclopropyl. H H H Cl Cl OH H H H Br Cl NH₂ H H H Br Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br Cl OH H H H NH₂ Cl NH₂ H H H NH₂ Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ Cl OH H H H SH Cl NH₂ H H H SH Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH Cl OH acetyl H H H Cl NH₂ acetyl H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H Cl OH acetyl H H F Cl NH₂ acetyl H H F Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F Cl OH H acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H Cl OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH H H H H Cl NH₂ H H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl OH H H H H Br NH₂ H H H H Br NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Br OH

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula V are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(V)

wherein: R¹ R² R³ X¹ Y H H H H H H H H H NH₂ H H H H NH-cyclo- propyl H H H H NH-methyl H H H H NH-ethyl H H H H NH-acetyl H H H H OH H H H H OMe H H H H OEt H H H H O-cyclopropyl H H H H O-acetyl H H H H SH H H H H SMe H H H H SEt H H H H 5-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ monophosphate H H H NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH-cyclo- propyl monophosphate H H H NH-methyl monophosphate H H H NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H OH monophosphate H H H O-acetyl monophosphate H H H OMe monophosphate H H H OEt monophosphate H H H O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H SH monophosphate H H H SMe monophosphate H H H SEt monophosphate H H H 5-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ diphosphate H H H NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH-cyclo- propyl diphosphate H H H NH-methyl diphosphate H H H NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H OH diphosphate H H H O-acetyl diphosphate H H H OMe diphosphate H H H OEt diphosphate H H H O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H SH diphosphate H H H SMe diphosphate H H H SEt diphosphate H H H S-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ triphosphate H H H NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH-cyclo- propyl triphosphate H H H NH-methyl triphosphate H H H NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H OH triphosphate H H H OMe triphosphate H H H OEt triphosphate H H H O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H O-acetyl triphosphate H H H SH triphosphate H H H SMe triphosphate H H H SEt triphosphate H H H 8-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH-cyclo- propyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH-cyclo- propyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH-cyclo- propyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H OH H H H F NH₂ H H H F NH-cyclo- propyl H H H F OH H H H Cl NH₂ H H H Cl NH-cyclo- propyl H H H Cl OH H H H Br NH₂ H H H Br NH-cyclo- propyl H H H Br OH H H H NH₂ NH₂ H H H NH₂ NH-cyclo- propyl H H H NH₂ OH H H H SH NH₂ H H H SH NH-cyclo- propyl H H H SH OH acetyl H H H NH₂ acetyl H H H NH-cyclo- propyl acetyl H H H OH acetyl H H F NH₂ acetyl H H F NH-cyclo- propyl acetyl H H F OH H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclo- propyl H acetyl acetyl H OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclo- propyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclo- propyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclo- propyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclo- propyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H OH

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula X are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(X)

R¹ R² R³ R⁶ X Base H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil H H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ O Thymine H H H CH₃ O Cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O Uracil H H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluraci H H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ S Thymine H H H CH₃ S Cytosine H H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ S Uracil H H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthym monophosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthym monophosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthym diphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine triphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O- Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ O 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N- diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo-O S 4-(N,N- vinyl diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- S 4-(N,N- vinyl diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine H H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine H H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine H H H CH₃ O guanine H H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine H H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine H H H CH₃ O adenine H H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine H H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine H H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine H H H CH₃ S guanine H H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine H H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine H H H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2-{N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine tiiphosphate H H CH₃ S guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)- guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,8-difluoro- adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S adenine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ O guanine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ S guanine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- O guanine vinyl acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- S guanine vinyl

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XI are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XI)

wherein: R¹ R² R⁷ R⁶ X Base H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ O Thymine H H H CH₃ O Cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O Uracil H H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ S Thymine H H H CH₃ S Cytosine H H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosin H H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ S Uracil H H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil CH₃ monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylurac diphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthym diphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytos triphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthym triphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S 4-(N-mono- acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytos monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate monophosphate Br CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl acetyl NO₂ CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl NO₂ CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl NO₂ CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl NO₂ 2-bromo- S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine vinyl

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XII are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XII)

wherein: R¹ R⁶ X Base H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H CH₃ O Thymine H CH₃ O Cytosine H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H CH₃ O Uracil H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H CH₃ S Thymine H CH₃ S Cytosine H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H CH₃ S Uracil H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CH₃ O Thymine monophosphate CH₃ O Cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O Uracil monophosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CH₃ S Thymine monophosphate CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XVII are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XVII)

R¹ R⁶ R⁷ X Base R⁹ R¹⁰ H CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NHAc Me H CH₃ H O Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me H CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NHAc Me H CH₃ H O Thymine NH₂ Me H CH₃ H O Cytosine NH₂ Me H CH₃ H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NHAc Me H CH₃ H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine NHAc Me H CH₃ H O Uracil NH₂ Me H CH₃ H O 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me H CH₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NHAc Me H CH₃ H S Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me H CH₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NHAc Me H CH₃ H S Thymine NH₂ Me H CH₃ H S Cytosine NH₂ Me H CH₃ H S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NHAc Me H CH₃ H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine NHAc Me H CH₃ H S Uracil NH₂ Me H CH₃ H S 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NHAc Me monophosphate CH₃ H O Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NHAc Me monophosphate CH₃ H O Thymine NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H O Cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NHAC Me monophosphate CH₃ H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine NHAc Me monophosphate CH₃ H O Uracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H O 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NHAc Me monophosphate CH₃ H S Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NHAc Me monophosphate CH₃ H S Thymine NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H S Cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NHAc Me monophosphate CH₃ H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine NHAc Me monophosphate CH₃ H S Uracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CH₃ H S 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NHAc Me diphosphate CH₃ H O Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H O Thymine NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H O Cytosine NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NHAc Me diphosphate CH₃ H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytos NHAc Me diphosphate CH₃ H O Uracil NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H O 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H S 2,4-O-DiacetyluracilNH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H S Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NHAc Me diphosphate CH₃ H S Thymine NH₂ Me diphosphate CH₃ H S Cytosine NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NHAc Me triphosphate CH₃ H O Hypoxanthine NHAc Me triphosphate CH₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NHAc Me triphosphate CH₃ H O Thymine NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H O Cytosine NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NHAc Me triphosphate CH₃ H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H O Uracil NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H O 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H S Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthyinine NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H S Thymine NH₂ Me triphosphate CH₃ H S Cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O 2,4-O-Diacetylthyinine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O Thymine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O Cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O Uracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H O 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S Hypoxanthine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S Thymine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S Cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S Uracil NH₂ Me monophosphate CF₃ H S 5-Fluorouracil NH₂ Me acetyl CH₃ H O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br acetyl CH₃ H S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br acetyl CH₃ OH O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br acetyl CH₃ OH S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br

Example 3 Preparation of 3′-C-methylriboadenine

The title compound can be prepared according to a published procedure (R. F. Nutt, M. J. Dickinson, F. W. Holly, and E. Walton, “Branched-chain sugar nucleosides. III. 3′-C-methyladenine”, J. Org. Chem. 1968, 33, 1789–1795) (Scheme 9).

(a) RuO₂/NaIO₄; (b) MeMgI/TiCl₄; (c) HCl/MeOH/H₂O; (d) BzCl/pyridine; (e) AcBr, HBr/AcOH; (f) chloromercuri-6-benzamidopurine; (g) NH₃/MeOH.

In a similar manner, but using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases, the following nucleosides of Formula III are prepared.

(III)

wherein: R¹ R² R³ X¹ X² Y H H H H H H H H H H H NH₂ H H H H H NH-cyclopropyl H H H H H NH-methyl H H H H H NH-ethyl H H H H H NH-acetyl H H H H H OH H H H H H OMe H H H H H OEt H H H H H O-cyclopropyl H H H H H O-acetyl H H H H H SH H H H H H SMe H H H H H SEt H H H H H 5-cyclopropyl H H H H H F H H H H H Cl H H H H H Br H H H H H I monophosphate H H H H NH₂ monophosphate H H H H NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H NH-methyl monophosphate H H H H NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H H OH monophosphate H H H H O-acetyl monophosphate H H H H OMe monophosphate H H H H OEt monophosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H SH monophosphate H H H H SMe monophosphate H H H H SEt monophosphate H H H H S-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H H F monophosphate H H H H Cl monophosphate H H H H Br monophosphate H H H H I diphosphate H H H H NH₂ diphosphate H H H H NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H NH-methyl diphosphate H H H H NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H H OH diphosphate H H H H O-acetyl diphosphate H H H H OMe diphosphate H H H H OEt diphosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H SH diphosphate H H H H SMe diphosphate H H H H SEt diphosphate H H H H S-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H H F diphosphate H H H H Cl diphosphate H H H H Br diphosphate H H H H I triphosphate H H H H NH₂ triphosphate H H H H NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H NH-methyl triphosphate H H H H NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H H OH triphosphate H H H H OMe triphosphate H H H H OEt triphosphate H H H H O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H O-acetyl triphosphate H H H H SH triphosphate H H H H SMe triphosphate H H H H SEt triphosphate H H H H 5-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H H F triphosphate H H H H Cl triphosphate H H H H Br triphosphate H H H H I monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H OH monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H F monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H H Cl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H F diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H H Cl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H F triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H H Cl H H H F H NH₂ H H H F H NH-cyclopropyl H H H F H OH H H H F H F H H H F H Cl H H H Cl H NH₂ H H H Cl H NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl H OH H H H Cl H F H H H Cl H Cl H H H Br H NH₂ H H H Br H NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br H OH H H H Br H F H H H Br H Cl H H H NH₂ H NH₂ H H H NH₂ H NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ H OH H H H NH₂ H F H H H NH₂ H Cl H H H SH H NH₂ H H H SH H NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH H OH H H H SH H F H H H SH H Cl acetyl H H H H NH₂ acetyl H H H H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H H OH acetyl H H H H F acetyl H H H H Cl acetyl H H F H NH₂ acetyl H H F H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F H OH acetyl H H F H F acetyl H H F H Cl H acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H H OH H acetyl acetyl H H F H acetyl acetyl H H Cl acetyl acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H H OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H H F acetyl acetyl acetyl H H Cl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H F monophosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H F diphosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H F triphosphate acetyl acetyl H H Cl H H H H NH₂ H H H H H NH₂ NH₂ H H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ NH-methyl H H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl H H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl H H H H NH₂ OH H H H H NH₂ OMe H H H H NH₂ OEt H H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ O-acetyl H H H H NH₂ SH H H H H NH₂ SMe H H H H NH₂ SEt H H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl H H H H NH₂ F H H H H NH₂ Cl H H H H NH₂ Br H H H H NH₂ I monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ OH monophosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ OMe monophosphate H H H NH₂ OEt monophosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ SH monophosphate H H H NH₂ SMe monophosphate H H H NH₂ SEt monophosphate H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H NH₂ F monophosphate H H H NH₂ Cl monophosphate H H H NH₂ Br monophosphate H H H NH₂ I diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ OH diphosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ OMe diphosphate H H H NH₂ OEt diphosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ SH diphosphate H H H NH₂ SMe diphosphate H H H NH₂ SEt diphosphate H H H NH₂ 5-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH₂ F diphosphate H H H NH₂ Cl diphosphate H H H NH₂ Br diphosphate H H H NH₂ I triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-methyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ OH triphosphate H H H NH₂ OMe triphosphate H H H NH₂ OEt triphosphate H H H NH₂ O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ O-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ SH triphosphate H H H NH₂ SMe triphosphate H H H NH₂ SEt triphosphate H H H NH₂ S-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ F triphosphate H H H NH₂ Cl triphosphate H H H NH₂ Br triphosphate H H H NH₂ I monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ OH monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ F monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ Cl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ F diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ Cl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ F triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ Cl H H H F NH₂ NH₂ H H H F NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H F NH₂ OH H H H F NH₂ F H H H F NH₂ Cl H H H Cl NH₂ NH₂ H H H Cl NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl NH₂ OH H H H Cl NH₂ F H H H Cl NH₂ Cl H H H Br NH₂ NH₂ H H H Br NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br NH₂ OH H H H Br NH₂ F H H H Br NH₂ Cl H H H NH₂ NH₂ NH₂ H H H NH₂ NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ NH₂ OH H H H NH₂ NH₂ F H H H NH₂ NH₂ Cl H H H SH NH₂ NH₂ H H H SH NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH NH₂ OH H H H SH NH₂ F H H H SH NH₂ Cl acetyl H H H NH₂ NH₂ acetyl H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H NH₂ OH acetyl H H H NH₂ F acetyl H H H NH₂ Cl acetyl H H F NH₂ NH₂ acetyl H H F NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F NH₂ OH acetyl H H F NH₂ F acetyl H H F NH₂ Cl H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F monophosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl dephosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ dephosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl dephosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH dephosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F dephosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ F triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ Cl H H H H Cl H H H H H Cl H H H H H Cl NH₂ H H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl NH-methyl H H H H Cl NH-ethyl H H H H Cl NH-acetyl H H H H Cl OH H H H H Cl OMe H H H H Cl OEt H H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl O-acetyl H H H H Cl SH H H H H Cl SMe H H H H Cl SEt H H H H Cl 5-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH₂ monophosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl monophosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl monophosphate H H H Cl OH monophosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl monophosphate H H H Cl OMe monophosphate H H H Cl OEt monophosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl monophosphate H H H Cl SH monophosphate H H H Cl SMe monophosphate H H H Cl SEt monophosphate H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH₂ diphosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl diphosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H Cl OH diphosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl diphosphate H H H Cl OMe diphosphate H H H Cl OEt diphosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H Cl SH diphosphate H H H Cl SMe diphosphate H H H Cl SEt diphosphate H H H Cl 5-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH₂ triphosphate H H H Cl NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-methyl triphosphate H H H Cl NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H Cl OH triphosphate H H H Cl OMe triphosphate H H H Cl OEt triphosphate H H H Cl O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H Cl O-acetyl triphosphate H H H Cl SH triphosphate H H H Cl SMe triphosphate H H H Cl SEt triphosphate H H H Cl S-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl NH₂ monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate H Cl OH diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H Cl OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H Cl OH H H H F Cl NH₂ H H H F Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H F Cl OH H H H Cl Cl NH₂ H H H Cl Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl Cl OH H H H Br Cl NH₂ H H H Br Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br Cl OH H H H NH₂ Cl NH₂ H H H NH₂ Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ Cl OH H H H SH Cl NH₂ H H H SH Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH Cl OH acetyl H H H Cl NH₂ acetyl H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H Cl OH acetyl H H F Cl NH₂ acetyl H H F Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F Cl OH H acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H Cl OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H Cl OH monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl monophosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H Cl OH H H H H Cl NH₂ H H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Cl OH H H H H Br NH₂ H H H H Br NH-cyclopropyl H H H H Br OH

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula VI are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(VI)

wherein: R¹ R² R³ X¹ Y H H H H H H H H H NH₂ H H H H NH-cyclopropyl H H H H NH-methyl H H H H NH-ethyl H H H H NH-acetyl H H H H OH H H H H OMe H H H H OEt H H H H O-cyclopropyl H H H H O-acetyl H H H H SH H H H H SMe H H H H SEt H H H H S-cyclopropyl mono- H H H NH₂ phosphate mono- H H H NH-acetyl phosphate mono- H H H NH-cyclopropyl phosphate mono- H H H NH-methyl phosphate mono- H H H NH-ethyl phosphate mono- H H H OH phosphate mono- H H H O-acetyl phosphate mono- H H H OMe phosphate mono- H H H OEt phosphate mono- H H H O-cyclopropyl phosphate mono- H H H SH phosphate mono- H H H SMe phosphate mono- H H H SEt phosphate mono- H H H S-cyclopropyl phosphate diphosphate H H H NH₂ diphosphate H H H NH-acetyl diphosphate H H H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H NH-methyl diphosphate H H H NH-ethyl diphosphate H H H OH diphosphate H H H O-acetyl diphosphate H H H OMe diphosphate H H H OEt diphosphate H H H O-cyclopropyl diphosphate H H H SH diphosphate H H H SMe diphosphate H H H SEt diphosphate H H H S-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH₂ triphosphate H H H NH-acetyl triphosphate H H H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H NH-methyl triphosphate H H H NH-ethyl triphosphate H H H OH triphosphate H H H OMe triphosphate H H H OEt triphosphate H H H O-cyclopropyl triphosphate H H H O-acetyl triphosphate H H H SH triphosphate H H H SMe triphosphate H H H SEt triphosphate H H H S-cyclopropyl mono- monophosphate monophosphate H NH₂ phosphate mono- monophosphate monophosphate H NH-cyclopropyl phosphate mono- monophosphate monophosphate H OH phosphate diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH₂ diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate diphosphate diphosphate H OH triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH₂ triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate triphosphate triphosphate H OH H H H F NH₂ H H H F NH-cyclopropyl H H H F OH H H H Cl NH₂ H H H Cl NH-cyclopropyl H H H Cl OH H H H Br NH₂ H H H Br NH-cyclopropyl H H H Br OH H H H NH₂ NH₂ H H H NH₂ NH-cyclopropyl H H H NH₂ OH H H H SH NH₂ H H H SH NH-cyclopropyl H H H SH OH acetyl H H H NH₂ acetyl H H H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H H OH acetyl H H F NH₂ acetyl H H F NH-cyclopropyl acetyl H H F OH H acetyl acetyl H NH₂ H acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclopropyl H acetyl acetyl H OH acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH₂ acetyl acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclopropyl acetyl acetyl acetyl H OH mono- acetyl acetyl H NH₂ phosphate mono- acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclopropyl phosphate mono- acetyl acetyl H OH phosphate diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ diphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclopropyl diphosphate acetyl acetyl H OH triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH₂ triphosphate acetyl acetyl H NH-cyclopropyl triphosphate acetyl acetyl H OH

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XIII are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XIII)

wherein: R¹ R² R³ R⁶ X Base H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ O Thymine H H H CH₃ O Cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O Uracil H H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluraci H H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H H H CH₃ S Thymine H H H CH₃ S Cytosine H H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ S Uracil H H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthym monophosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthym monophosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate H H CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthym diphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate H H CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate H H CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate H H CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine H H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine H H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine H H H CH₃ O guanine H H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine H H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine H H H CH₃ O adenine H H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine H H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine H H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine H H H CH₃ S guanine H H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine H H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine H H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine H H H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H H CH₃ O guanine monophsophate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ O adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S guanine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate H H CH₃ S adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ O adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S guanine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine diphosphate H H CH₃ S adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroguanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroguanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S guanine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 8-fluoroadenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine triphosphate H H CH₃ S adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O 2,8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ O adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-(N,N-diacetyl)-guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-O-acetyl guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroguanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S guanine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 6-(N,N-diacetyl)-adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 8-fluoroadenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S 2,8-difluoro-adenine monophosphate monophosphate monophosphate CF₃ S adenine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ O guanine acetyl acetyl acetyl CF₃ S guanine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl O guanine acetyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl S guanine

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XIV are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XIV)

wherein: R¹ R² R⁶ X Base H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H H CH₃ O Thymine H H CH₃ O Cytosine H H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H CH₃ O Uracil H H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H H CH₃ S Thymine H H CH₃ S Cytosine H H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosin H H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H H CH₃ S Uracil H H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil mono- H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil phosphate mono- H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine phosphate mono- H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthym phosphate mono- H CH₃ O Thymine phosphate mono- H CH₃ O Cytosine phosphate mono- H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine phosphate mono- H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytos phosphate mono- H CH₃ O Uracil phosphate mono- H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil phosphate mono- H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil phosphate mono- H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine phosphate mono- H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthym phosphate mono- H CH₃ S Thymine phosphate mono- H CH₃ S Cytosine phosphate mono- H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine phosphate mono- H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine phosphate mono- H CH₃ S Uracil phosphate mono- H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil phosphate diphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate H CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate H CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate H CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-0-Diacetylthymine diphosphate H CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate H CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate H CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate H CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate H CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate H CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate H CH₃ S Cytosine mono- mono- CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O Hypoxanthine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O Thymine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O Cytosine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O Uracil phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S Hypoxanthine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S Thymine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S Cytosine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S Uracil phosphate phosphate mono- mono- CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil phosphate phosphate acetyl acetyl CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine vinyl acetyl acetyl 2-bromo- S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine vinyl

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XV are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XV)

wherein: R¹ R⁶ X Base H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H CH₃ O Hypoxanthine H CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H CH₃ O Thymine H CH₃ O Cytosine H CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H CH₃ O Uracil H CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H CH₃ S Hypoxanthine H CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H CH₃ S Thymine H CH₃ S Cytosine H CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H CH₃ S Uracil H CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CH₃ O Thymine monophosphate CH₃ O Cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ O Uracil monophosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CH₃ S Thymine monophosphate CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CH₃ S Uracil monophosphate CH₃ S 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine diphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate CH₃ O Thymine diphosphate CH₃ O Cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine diphosphate CH₃ O Uracil diphosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil diphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil diphosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine diphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine diphosphate CH₃ S Thymine diphosphate CH₃ S Cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate CH₃ O Hypoxanthine triphosphate CH₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate CH₃ O Thymine triphosphate CH₃ O Cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine triphosphate CH₃ O Uracil triphosphate CH₃ O 5-Fluorouracil triphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil triphosphate CH₃ S Hypoxanthine triphosphate CH₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine triphosphate CH₃ S Thymine triphosphate CH₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CF₃ O Hypoxanthine monophosphate CF₃ O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CF₃ O Thymine monophosphate CF₃ O Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ O Uracil monophosphate CF₃ O 5-Fluorouracil monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil monophosphate CF₃ S Hypoxanthine monophosphate CF₃ S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine monophosphate CF₃ S Thymine monophosphate CF₃ S Cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine monophosphate CF₃ S Uracil monophosphate CF₃ S 5-Fluorouracil acetyl CF₃ O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl CF₃ S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine acetyl 2-bromo-vinyl S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine

Alternatively, the following nucleosides of Formula XVIII are prepared, using the appropriate sugar and pyrimidine or purine bases.

(XVIII)

wherein: R¹ R⁶ R⁷ X Base R⁸ R⁹ H CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me H CH₃ OH O Hypoxanthine H Me H CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me H CH₃ OH O Thymine H Me H CH₃ OH O Cytosine H Me H CH₃ OH O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me H CH₃ OH O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me H CH₃ OH O Uracil H Me H CH₃ OH O 5-Fluorouracil H Me H CH₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me H CH₃ OH S Hypoxanthine H Me H CH₃ OH S 2,4-0-Diacetylthymine H Me H CH₃ OH S Thymine H Me H CH₃ OH S Cytosine H Me H CH₃ OH S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me H CH₃ OH S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me H CH₃ OH S Uracil H Me H CH₃ OH S 5-Fluorouracil H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O Hypoxanthine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O Thymine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O Cytosine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O Uracil H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH O 5-Fluorouracil H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S Hypoxanthine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S Thymine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S Cytosine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S Uracil H Me monophosphate CH₃ OH S 5-Fluorouracil H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O Hypoxanthine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O Thymine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O Cytosine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O Uracil H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH O 5-Fluorouracil H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH S Hypoxanthine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH S Thymine H Me diphosphate CH₃ OH S Cytosine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O Hypoxanthine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O Thymine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O Cytosine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O Uracil H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH O 5-Fluorouracil H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH S Hypoxanthine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH S Thymine H Me triphosphate CH₃ OH S Cytosine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O Hypoxanthine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O Thymine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O Cytosine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O Uracil H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH O 5-Fluorouracil H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetyluracil H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S Hypoxanthine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S 2,4-O-Diacetylthymine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S Thymine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S Cytosine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S 4-(N-mono-acetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S Uracil H Me monophosphate CF₃ OH S 5-Fluorouracil H Me acetyl CH₃ OH O 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br acetyl CH₃ OH S 4-(N,N-diacetyl)cytosine H Br VII. Anti-Flavivirus or Pestivirus Activity

Compounds can exhibit anti-flavivirus or pestivirus activity by inhibiting flavivirus or pestivirus polymerase, by inhibiting other enzymes needed in the replication cycle, or by other pathways.

EXAMPLES

The test compounds were dissolved in DMSO at an initial concentration of 200 μM and then were serially diluted in culture medium.

Unless otherwise stated, baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) (ATCC CCL-10) and Bos Taurus (BT) (ATCC CRL 1390) cells were grown at 37° C. in a humidified CO₂ (5%) atmosphere. BHK-21 cells were passaged in Eagle MEM additioned of 2 mM L-glutamine, 10% fetal bovine seruim (FBS, Gibco) and Earle's BSS adjusted to contain 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate and 0.1 mM non-essential amino acids. BT cells were passaged in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 4 mM L-glutamine and 10% horse serum (HS, Gibco), adjusted to contain 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate, 4.5 g/L glucose and 1.0 mM sodium pyruvate. The vaccine strain 17D (YFV-17D) (Stamaril®, Pasteur Merieux) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) (ATCC VR-534) were used to infect BHK and BT cells, respectively, in 75 cm² bottles. After a 3 day incubation period at 37° C., extensive cytopathic effect was observed. Cultures were freeze-thawed three times, cell debris were removed by centrifugation and the supernatant was aliquoted and stored at −70° C. YFV-17D and BVDV were titrated in BHK-21 and BT cells, respectively, that were grown to confluency in 24-well plates.

Example 4 Phosphorylation Assay of Nucleoside to Active Triphosphate

To determine the cellular metabolism of the compounds, HepG2 cells were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (Rockville, Md.), and were grown in 225 cm² tissue culture flasks in minimal essential medium supplemented with non-essential amino acids, 1% penicillin-streptomycin. The medium was renewed every three days, and the cells were subcultured once a week. After detachment of the adherent monolayer with a 10 minute exposure to 30 mL of trypsin-EDTA and three consecutive washes with medium, confluent HepG2 cells were seeded at a density of 2.5×10⁶ cells per well in a 6-well plate and exposed to 10 μM of [³H] labeled active compound (500 dpm/pmol) for the specified time periods. The cells were maintained at 37° C. under a 5% CO₂ atmosphere. At the selected time points, the cells were washed three times with ice-cold phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Intracellular active compound and its respective metabolites were extracted by incubating the cell pellet overnight at −20° C. with 60% methanol followed by extraction-with an additional 20 μL of cold methanol for one hour in an ice bath. The extracts were then combined, dried under gentle filtered air flow and stored at −20° C. until HPLC analysis. The preliminary results of the HPLC analysis are tabulated in Table 1.

TABLE 1 [pmol/million cells] β-D-2′-CH₃- β-D-2′-CH₃- β-D-2′-CH₃- β-D-2′-CH₃- Time (h) riboA-TP riboU-TP riboC-TP riboG-TP  2 33.1 0.40 2.24 ND  4 67.7 1.21 3.99 ND  8 147 1.57 9.76 2.85 24 427 6.39 34.9 0.91 30 456 7.18 36.2 3.22 48 288 9.42 56.4 6.26

Example 5 Bioavailability Assay in Cynomolgus Monkeys

Within 1 week prior to the study initiation, the cynomolgus monkey was surgically implanted with a chronic venous catheter and subcutaneous venous access port (VAP) to facilitate blood collection and underwent a physical examination including hematology and serum chemistry evaluations and the body weight was recorded. Each monkey (six total), received approximately 250 uCi of ³H activity with each dose of active compound, namely β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG at a dose level of 10 mg/kg at a dose concentration of 5 mg/mL, either via an intravenous bolus (3 monkeys, IV), or via oral gavage (3 monkeys, PO). Each dosing syringe was weighed before dosing to gravimetrically determine the quantity of formulation administered. Urine samples were collected via pan catch at the designated intervals (approximately 18–0 hours pre-dose, 0–4, 4–8 and 8–12 hours post-dosage) and processed. Blood samples were collected as well (pre-dose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours post-dosage) via the chronic venous catheter and VAP or from a peripheral vessel if the chronic venous catheter procedure should not be possible. The blood and urine samples were analyzed for the maximum concentration (C_(max)), time when the maximum concentration was achieved (T_(max)), area under the curve (AUC), half life of the dosage concentration (T_(1/2)), clearance (CL), steady state volume and distribution (V_(SS)) and bioavailability (F), which are tabulated in Tables 2 and 3, and graphically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.

TABLE 2 Oral Bioavailability in Monkeys AUC Norm Dose (ng/ AUC (ng/ Mean Norm AUC F (mg) mL × h) mL × h/mg) (ng/mL × h/mg) (%) IV Monkey 1 46.44 13614 293.2 IV Monkey 2 24.53 6581 268.3 IV Monkey 3 20.72 6079 293.4 284.9 PO Monkey 1 29.04 758 26.1 PO Monkey 2 30.93 898 29.0 PO Monkey 3 30.04 1842 61.3 38.8 13.6

TABLE 3 Experimental Pharmacokinetics of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG in Cynomolgus Monkeys IV PO Dose/Route (mg/kg) 10 10 C_(max) (ng/mL) 6945.6 ± 1886.0 217.7 ± 132.1 T_(max) (hr) 0.25 ± 0.00 2.00 ± 1.00 AUC (ng/mL × hr) 8758.0 ± 4212.9 1166.0 ± 589.6  T_(1/2) (hr) 7.9 ± 5.4 10.3 ± 4.1  CL (L/hr/kg) 1.28 ± 0.48 V_(SS) (L/kg) 2.09 ± 0.54 F (%) 13.8

Example 6 Bone Marrow Toxicity Assay

Human bone marrow cells were collected from normal healthy volunteers and the mononuclear population was separated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation as described previously by Sommadossi J-P, Carlisle R. “Toxicity of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine for normal human hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1987; 31:452–454; and Sommadossi J-P, Schinazi R F, Chu C K, Xie M-Y. “Comparison of cytotoxicity of the (−)- and (+)-enantiomer of 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-thiacytidine in normal human bone marrow progenitor cells” Biochemical Pharmacology 1992; 44:1921–1925. The culture assays for CFU-GM and BFU-E were performed using a bilayer soft agar or methylcellulose method. Drugs were diluted in tissue culture medium and filtered. After 14 to 18 days at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in air, colonies of greater than 50 cells were counted using an inverted microscope. The results in Table 4 are presented as the percent inhibition of colony formation in the presence of drug compared to solvent control cultures.

TABLE 4 Human Bone Marrow Toxicity CFU-GM and BFU-E Clonogenic Assays IC₅₀ in μM Treatment CFU-GM BFU-E ribavirin  ~5  ~1 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA >100 >100 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU >100 >100 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC  >10  >10 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG  >10 >100

Example 7 Mitochondria Toxicity Assay

HepG2 cells were cultured in 12-well plates as described above and exposed to various concentrations of drugs as taught by Pan-Zhou X-R, Cui L, Zhou X-J, Sommadossi J-P, Darley-Usmer V M. “Differential effects of antiretroviral nucleoside analogs on mitochondrial function in HepG2 cells” Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2000; 44:496–503. Lactic acid levels in the culture medium after 4 day drug exposure was measured using a Boehringer lactic acid assay kit. Lactic acid levels were normalized by cell number as measured by hemocytometer count. The preliminary results from this assay are tabulated in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Mitochondrial Toxicity Study (L-lactic acid assay) Conc. (μM) lactate (mg/10⁶ cell) % of Control Control 2.18 FIAU 10 3.73 170.4 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC 1 2.52 115.3 10 2.36 107.9 50 2.26 103.4 100 2.21 101.2

Example 8 Cytotoxicity Assay

Cells were seeded at a rate of between 5×10³ and 5×10⁴/well into 96-well plates in growth medium overnight at 37° C. in a humidified CO₂ (5%) atmosphere. New growth medium containing serial dilutions of the drugs was then added. After incubation for 4 days, cultures were fixed in 50% TCA and stained with sulforhodamineB. The optical density was read at 550 nm. The cytotoxic concentration was expressed as the concentration required to reduce the cell number by 50% (CC₅₀). The data is tabulated in Table 6.

TABLE 6 MDBK versus Human Hepatoma CC₅₀, μM Compound MDBK Huh7 HepG2 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA  20    40 50–60 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU >250   >250 >250 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC 100 >250   150 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG 100 >250 >250 Ribavirin  5    25   150

Example 9 Cell Protection Assay (CPA)

The assay was performed essentially as described by Baginski, S. G.; Pevear, D. C.; Seipel, M.; Sun, S. C. C.; Benetatos, C. A.; Chunduru, S. K.; Rice, C. M. and M. S. Collett “Mechanism of action of a pestivirus antiviral compound” PNAS USA 2000, 97(14), 7981–7986. MDBK cells (ATCC) were seeded onto 96-well culture plates (4,000 cells per well) 24 hours before use. After infection with BVDV (strain NADL, ATCC) at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.02 plaque forming units (PFU) per cell, serial dilutions of test compounds were added to both infected and uninfected cells in a final concentration of 0.5% DMSO in growth medium. Each dilution was tested in quadruplicate. Cell densities and virus inocula were adjusted to ensure continuous cell growth throughout the experiment and to achieve more than 90% virus-induced cell destruction in the untreated controls after four days post-infection. After four days, plates were fixed with 50% TCA and stained with sulforhodamine B. The optical density of the wells was read in a microplate reader at 550 nm. The 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values were defined as the compound concentration that achieved 50% reduction of cytopathic effect of the virus. The results are tabulated in Table 7. FIGS. 4 and 5 provide a graphical illustration of the methodology used to arrive at the 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) values for β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG and ribavirin. FIG. 6 compares the results of the CPA for β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA and ribavirin

TABLE 7 Cell Protection Assay EC₅₀, μM CC₅₀, μM β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA 2  20 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU 20  >250   β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC 2 100 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG 4 100 Ribavirin >3    5

Example 10 Plaque Reduction Assay

For each compound the effective concentration was determined in duplicate 24-well plates by plaque reduction assays. Cell monolayers were infected with 100 PFU/well of virus. Then, serial dilutions of test compounds in MEM supplemented with 2% inactivated serum and 0.75% of methyl cellulose were added to the monolayers. Cultures were further incubated at 37° C. for 3 days, then fixed with 50% ethanol and 0.8% Crystal Violet, washed and air-dried. Then plaques were counted to determine the concentration to obtain 90% virus suppression and tabulated in Table 8. FIG. 7 is a graphical illustration of the results from the Plaque Reduction Assay. FIG. 8 is an image of BVDV plaque formation in the presence of increasing concentrations of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU.

TABLE 8 Viral Suppression via Plaque Reduction Assay EC₉₀, μM β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA <3 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU <81  β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC <9 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG <9

Example 11 Yield Reduction Assay

For each compound the concentration to obtain a 6-log reduction in viral load was determined in duplicate 24-well plates by yield reduction assays. The assay was performed as described by Baginski, S. G.; Pevear, D. C.; Seipel, M.; Sun, S. C. C.; Benetatos, C. A.; Chunduru, S. K.; Rice, C. M. and M. S. Collett “Mechanism of action of a pestivirus antiviral compound” PNAS USA 2000, 97(14), 7981–7986, with minor modifications. Briefly, MDBK cells were seeded onto 24-well plates (2×105 cells per well) 24 hours before infection with BVDV (NADL strain) at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 PFU per cell. Serial dilutions of test compounds were added to cells in a final concentration of 0.5% DMSO in growth medium. Each dilution was tested in triplicate. After three days, cell cultures (cell monolayers and supernatants) were lysed by three freeze-thaw cycles, and virus yield was quantified by plaque assay. Briefly, MDBK cells were seeded onto 6-well plates (5×105 cells per well) 24 h before use. Cells were inoculated with 0.2 mL of test lysates for 1 hour, washed and overlaid with 0.5% agarose in growth medium. After 3 days, cell monolayers were fixed with 3.5% formaldehyde and stained with 1% crystal violet (w/v in 50% ethanol) to visualize plaques. The plaques were counted to determine the concentration to obtain a 6-log reduction in viral load as tabulated in Table 9. FIG. 9 is a graphical illustration of the results from the Yield, Reduction Assay. FIG. 8 is an image of BVDV yield reduction in the presence of increasing concentrations of β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC.

TABLE 9 Concentration to Obtain 6-log Reduction Conc. for 6-log Reduction (μM) β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU 120  β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG 20 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC 20 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA  9

Example 12 Comparative Cytotoxicity

Table 10 summarizes the cytoxicity of two compounds of this invention, β-D-1′-CH₃-riboA and β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA, in comparison to RBV (“ribavirin”), in various cell systems.

TABLE 10 Comparative Cytotoxicity* (CC₅₀) BD BHK VERO MT-4 β-D-1′-CH₃-riboA >100 200 >100 18   β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA    75  22    22 6.6 RBV ND  50    11 ND *Compound concentration (μM) required to reduce the viability of cells by 50%.

The chemical structures for β-D1′-CH₃-riboA and β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA are as follows:

Table 11 summarizes the antiviral activity of β-D-1′-CH₃-riboA and β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA against several viruses within the flavivirus and pestivirus genuses.

TABLE 11 Comparative Antiviral Activity* (EC₅₀) BVDV YFV PICO VSV HIV-1 β-D-1′-CH3-riboA 10 7.0 51 >100 >18 β-D-2′-CH3-riboA 0.1 0.2 5.0 >100 >6.6 RBV ND 30 >30 ND ND *Compound concentration (μM) required to reduce the plaque number by 50%. The following virus-cell system were used: BVDC-BT, YFV-BHK, PICO (Cosxackie B1 and Polio Sabin)/VSV-Vero.

Table 12 summarizes the antiviral activity and toxicity of β-D-2′-methyl-riboG, β-D-2′-methyl-riboC and β-D-2′-methyl-riboU, against a couple of viruses within the flavivirus and pestivirus genuses.

TABLE 12 Comparative Antiviral Activity* (EC₅₀) BVDV YFV EC₅₀* CC₅₀** EC₅₀* CC₅₀** β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG 2 >100 1.2    20 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC 3.7 >100 70 >100 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU 20 >100 33 >100 *Compound concentration (μM) required to reduce the plaque number by 50%. The following virus-cell system were used: BVDC-BT and YFV-BHK. *Compound concentration (μM) required to reduce the viability of cells by 50%.

The chemical structures for β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG, β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC and β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU are as follows:

Table 13 summarizes the anti-viral activity of several compounds of this invention against BVDV in three different assays.

TABLE 13 for BVDV Cell Plaque Yield Reduction Cytotoxicity Protection Reduction EC₉₀, 6 log₁₀ Huh7 cells Compound (EC₅₀, μM) (EC₉₀, μM) μM reduction (μM) (EC₅₀, μM) β-D-2′-CH₃-riboA 2 <3 <2  9 50 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboT >250 ND ND ND >250 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboU 20 <81 24 120  >250 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboC 2 <9 <4 20 >250 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboG 4 <9 3 20 >250 β-D-2′-CH₃-riboI 45 ND ND ND >250 Ribavirin >3 >200 >20 toxic 20

This invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments. Variations and modifications of the invention, will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the foregoing detailed description of the invention. 

1. A method for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering to said host an anti-virally effective amount of a compound of Formula XVII:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein: Base is a purine; R¹ and R² are independently H; phosphate; a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl; alkyl; sulfonate ester; benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, phosphonate, either unprotected or protected as necessary; a lipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; a cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo provides a compound wherein R¹ and R² are independently H or phosphate; R⁶ is alkyl, azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, or —N(acyl)₂; R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², hydroxy, alkyl, azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, or —N(acyl)₂; R¹⁰ is H, alkyl, chlorine, bromine or iodine; X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.
 2. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of N⁶-alkylpurine, N⁶-acylpurine, N⁶-benzylpurine, N⁶-halopurine, N⁶-vinylpurine, N⁶-acetylenic purine, N⁶-acyl purine, N⁶-hydroxyalkyl purine, N⁶-thioalkyl purine, N²-alkylpurine, N²-alkyl-6-thiopurine, C⁵-hydroxyalkyl purine, N²-alkylpurine, N²-alkyl-6-thiopurine, adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopunne and 6-chloropurine.
 3. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an anti-virally effective amount of a compound of Formula X or XI:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein: Base is a purine; R¹, R² and R³ are independently H; phosphate or a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl; alkyl; sulfonate ester; or benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted; a lipid; an amino acid; a carbohydrate; a peptide; cholesterol; or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo provides a compound wherein R¹, R² and R³ are independently H or phosphate; R⁶ is alkyl, azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), O(acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, NO_(2,) NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, or —N(acyl)₂; R⁷ is, OR³, hydroxy, alkyl, azido, cyano, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, —C(O)O(alkyl), —O(acyl), —O(alkyl), —O(alkenyl), chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, or —N(acyl)₂; and X is O, S, SO₂ or CH₂.
 4. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, wherein, in the compound of Formula XVII: R¹⁰ is H, alkyl, chlorine, bromine or iodine; R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, Br-vinyl, O-alkenyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, NO₂, NH₂, —NH(lower alkyl), —NH(acyl), —N(lower alkyl)₂, or —N(acyl)₂; R⁶ is alkyl, chlorine, bromine or iodine; X is O, S, SO₂or CH₂.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein R¹ hydrogen or phosphate.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein R² is hydrogen, acyl or alkyl.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein R⁶ is alkyl.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein R⁷ and R⁹ are independently selected from OR² or hydroxy.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein R⁷ is hydroxy.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein R⁹ is hydroxy.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein R⁷ and R⁹ are hydroxy.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein R¹⁰ is hydrogen.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein X is O.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein R¹ is hydrogen or phosphate; R² is hydrogen, acyl or alkyl; R⁶ is alkyl; R⁷ and R⁹ are independently OR², or hydroxy; R¹⁰ is hydrogen; and X is O.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the base is a purine selected from the group consisting of N⁶-alkylpurines, guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and 6-chloropurine.
 16. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an antivirally effective amount of a compound of the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 17. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an antivirally effective amount of a compound of the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein R is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, or cyclopropyl.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein R is butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, cyclopentyl, isopentyl, or neopentyl.
 20. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an antivirally effective amount of a compound of the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 21. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an antivirally effective amount of a compound of the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 22. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an antivirally effective amount of a compound of the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 23. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an antivirally effective amount of a compound of the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 24. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, comprising administering an antivirally effective amount of a compound of the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 25. The method of claim 1 for the treatment of a flavivirus or pestivirus infection in a host, wherein the purine base is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, cyclopentyl, isopentyl, or neopentyl.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises administering the compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof in combination or alternation with a second anti-flavivirus or anti-pestivirus agent.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second anti-flavivirus or anti-pestivirus agent is selected from the group consisting of consisting of interferon, ribavirin, a protease inhibitor, a thiazolidine derivative, a polymerase inhibitor, and a helicase inhibitor.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the second anti-flavivirus or anti-pestivirus agent is interferon.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the second anti-flavivirus or anti-pestivirus agent is a protease inhibitor.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the second anti-flavivirus or anti-pestivirus agent is ribavirin.
 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is in the form of a dosage unit.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the dosage unit contains 50 to 1000 mg of said compound.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein said dosage unit is a tablet or capsule.
 34. The method of claim 1, wherein the host is a human.
 35. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is in substantially pure form.
 36. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is at least 90% by weight of the β-D-isomer.
 37. The method of claims 1, wherein the compound is at least 95% by weight of the β-D-isomer.
 38. The method of claim 1, wherein the flavivirus or pestivirus is a Dengue virus.
 39. The method of claim 1, wherein the flavivirus or pestivirus is a West Nile virus.
 40. The method of claim 1, wherein the flavivirus or pestivirus is a yellow fever virus.
 41. The method of claim 1, wherein the flavivirus or pestivirus is a bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV).
 42. The method of claim 1, wherein the flavivirus or pestivirus is not a hepatitis C virus. 